Today, the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol held its fourth public hearing. The agenda was to lay out the scheme to pressure swing state electors to switch their states’ votes to Trump and then, when that failed, to get state operatives to create a false slate of electors to submit to Congress and the National Archives to set up an argument that there was confusion about who had won. That, Trump’s operatives hoped, would give then–vice president Mike Pence an excuse either to refuse to count Biden votes on the grounds that there was confusion over which slate was legitimate (there was no confusion: the Biden votes were certified and the Trump votes were not), or to send the certified electoral votes back to the state legislatures, where Republican-dominated bodies could recertify for Trump.
I doubt I've ever been as moved by testimony at a congressional hearing as I was today. The professor captures effectively and eloquently what was said and its importance. But the video and the voices of the witnesses convey more — their strength and resolve in the face of crushing pressure, and the pain and disruption they've suffered by despicable mistreatment.
I was proud of the witnesses but disgusted beyond words that the President and those who worked for him could wield this much hate. And hate that inspired cruelty by manipulated citizens based on lies upon lies upon more lies.
If today's hearing doesn't penetrate the bubble and build a large majority supporting swift and harsh justice, America hasn't just lost its way. It's marching toward a cliff.
“‘Do you know how it feels to have the president of the United States target you?’ Freeman said on video. ‘The President of the United States is supposed to represent every American. Not target one. But he targeted me: Lady Ruby, a small business owner, a mother, a proud American citizen, who stood up to help Fulton County run an election in the middle of the pandemic.’”
Heart-rending, I wept, but I loved that every single member of the Committee went to pay respect, shake hands, some hugged the two women on their way out of the chamber and I hope that they can hang onto that moving experience as time goes by.
Not mentioned in Heather''s Letter was the fact that Shaye's 70-something grandmother, whom she adores, opened her door to find a mob who pushed her inside and searched her house looking for Shaye and Lady Ruby. Giuliani and tRump falsely called Shaye a "low-level drug dealer", they caused so much pain for this family. These un-American thugs have the gall to call themselves patriots...
Nor did she mention the fact that Bowers and his wife were tending to their adult daughter at home while she was dying, losing her battle soon after the inauguration. How painful to have all that going on at a time the family needed love and support. (I understand HCR can't include everything but this really tugged at my heart.)
Agreed. Heather was commenting on Twitter (which I don't have) during the hearing, which must have been exhausting. Then right into her Politics Chat on FB and then to write the Letter, plus no break over the weekend. She badly needs some rest soon.
Thank you Prof. Richardson, if you see this, for all that you do!
Citizen60-if your attempt @ a heart didn't work, try going to the top of the page & look to the left of the search bar. You'll see an incomplete circle w/an arrow @ the end of it-that's the way to refresh and you should be able to "heart" after that. Sometimes it takes a try or two.
And when we lock them up, they must do restitution and reparations to all the people who have been harmed by their seditious treachery and leading their mobs to attack innocent people.
I understand your pessimism, but if I did not believe we can win this, I would not be able to get out of bed. Not a very good option. So I remain positive and am doing whatever I can to help move Change along and salvage our democracy and provide consequences to the greedy power mongers whom we are slaves to at the moment. I want my taxes to not pay for one more cent to these seditious elected officials in our government. That is my goal.
Honest question, what happens when we finally see that we didn't win? Not all the insurrectionists are in jail. They were allowed to walk out of there, fly back to their homes. Some have been caught but not enough if you have one person on the New Mexico panel still refusing to certify the results of the recent election. There are other republicans out and about. How is this not white privilege?
I’m thinking the next indictments are the swing state false electors. Fraud, forgery, other. Then some of them turn State’s witness on the higher ups. This has to happen, and keep moving up the chain.
I am optimistic to some extent. The Georgia grand jury should indict Trump, if there is any common sense among them at all.
And Merrick Garland? I have some hope that he will yield to pressure. Not that this is a legal slam dunk by any means - there has to be found a jury of 12 who will unanimously convict, and that could be challenging.
But surely a trial would spell the end of many careers and bring Trumpism to a grinding halt.
Eric, I agree. Fani Willis is a force to be reckoned with, and she is laser-focused. I think she can do it. I'm also encouraged by Merrick Garland, after initially fearing that his determination to not be viewed as a political shill was guiding him.
Well there clearly is but I still highly doubt this dude will go down. There are so many politicians and high end folks who never go to jail or get punished (white collar crime). It all gets swept away and forgotten because the American public have short attention spans now and are more interested in some celebrities Poop in bed saga than the very people who dictate our lives.
Speaking of seditious treachery, item 33 of the 2022 Texas Republican platform reads as follows:
"33. State Sovereignty: Pursuant to Article 1, Section 1, of the Texas Constitution, the federal government has impaired our right of local self-government. Therefore, federally mandated legislation that infringes upon the 10th Amendment rights of Texas should be ignored, opposed, refused, and nullified. Texas retains the right to secede from the United States, and the Texas Legislature should be called upon to pass a referendum consistent thereto."
Personally, I have little problem about letting Texas secede (present company excluded, of course). But, for the time being, does this plank of the Texas Republican platform constitute evidence of seditious conspiracy? Any legal scholars out there who can answer this question?
In answer to my own question, here's the definition of seditious conspiracy according to U.S. Federal law (via Wikipedia, so should be checked):
"In the United States, seditious conspiracy is codified at 18 U.S.C. § 2384:
If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both."
Yes, but not for them, they weren't born yet, and they know who really won the Civil War. That Appomattox business was a yuge hoax. The Confederate Army may have laid down their arms, but now EVERYONE has arms at the ready - lots of them, in all shapes and sizes.
Here in NH the legislature has already passed a law that forbids the state from assisting federal agencies in regards to certain parts about enforcing federal gun laws; it awaits the governor's signature. Unfortunately, there are a number of ultra libertarian legislators who work along side the Republicans, in fact the leader of the House is one of those folks. (They also tried to pass a secession bill but failed ignomoinously-323 against and 3 in favor.) Here's an article about the noncooperation bill if you wish to peruse it:: https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2022/06/21/bill-headed-to-sununus-desk-would-stop-state-cooperation-with-federal-firearms-laws/
Thanks for the link. Nice to know we have crazies so close to home (in Massachusetts). The NH bill as described in this article seems to fit the definition of seditious conspiracy as well as the Texas GOP platform.
One minor, nitpicking point: I wouldn't call these people "folks". Folks are grandparents in their rocking chairs. The word "people" is also questionable in this situation; some other words I might apply are probably not appropriate in a public forum.
I don't think this group should want to continue the hate we are hoping to remove in America. Please don't 'repurpose the hangman's noose" for anyone. Let's allow the justice system to do it's job.
Here's an opportunity for the Democrats to take the lead; start a nation-wide network of security teams for each election official and poll worker who has been threatened by the Republicans.
That might take agreement by Republican-led legislators, which will not happen. They actively want the current system to fail and do not care who gets hurt in the process.
I agree Jeff. One would think we already pay for local, state and federal law enforcement. I guess the National Guard could be used just like in a third world country.
Protection provided for Supreme Court and not for abortion clinics.
This from an AP report. By 3:37 p.m., the Pentagon sent its own security forces to guard the homes of defense leaders. No troops had yet reached the Capitol.
It would be another hour before the first contingent of 155 Guard members were at the Capitol. Dressed in riot gear, they began arriving at 5:20 p.m.
They started moving out the rioters, but there were few, if any, arrests. by police.
The above are examples of why faith in government is low.
I didn't know that the Pentagon had sent security forces to protect the homes of defense leaders.
Will the J6 Committee turns its fearsome eye to why the response was glacially slow to protect the Capitol? More specifically, forcing Defense Department leaders to testify?
I haven't heard the failure to protect the Capital discussed as a topic of one of the J6 Committee hearings...yet. But it would be shocking if it isn't examined in one of the future hearings. The Committee is well aware of the outrageous, frankly unbelievable, confluence of failures that left the Capital building and Congressional members lacking adequate protection on that important day. Such a huge hole in their protection, left by the failure of multiple organizations, allowing the crazed, Trump fascist army to invade the Capital, is WAY too suspicious to be bypassed by the J6 Committee. The Senate report "Examining the Capital Attack -- A Review of the Security, Planning and Response Failures on January 6" leaves the door wide open for detailed, necessary explanations. It would be incredible if the so far spectacularly successful and brilliant J6 Committee ignored this critical topic. Spoiler Alert: Donald "John Wilkes Booth" Trump and his immoral, deranged lackeys will probably play a lead role.
Elaine, Sally. et al I am with you. Our justice system protects too many who harm and disrupt the lives of citizens who choose to participate in what is supposed to be a legal and fair voting system.
Even more disturbing is that decent, responsible, hardworking citizen servants are living in fear in their own homes, due to messages sent to them through multiple devices or having their homes physically invaded by violent strangers.
Jeff, I apologize to you for my harsh response to you with regard to your opinion of the NY Times and WAPO. If you would like to know why was so protective of the two newspapers, I would be glad to explain my concern with reference to the free-press. However, I might defend my comment, I went overboard and was rude. I hope that you will forgive me and that we may carry on as subscriber friends. Salud.
It would seem obvious that these fine women (Moss and Freeman) have the basis for a big time law suit. Defamation, loss of income, loss of personal safety all come to mind.
“ For the first time ever, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award will honor five individuals — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Arizona Representative Russell “Rusty” Bowers, and Wandrea’ ArShaye Moss — each for their courage to protect and defend democracy in the United States and abroad.”
So true. Money doesn't buy happiness. But they certainly deserve a boat load of cash to buy a better life. And maybe a little legal vindication would be helpful as well.
See Sandy Lewis's post from the other day! If you can write a book you can make money. I read Woodward's book when it came out. He should have stood up for the USA when he knew what was going on....he waited until he could make $s selling his book!
And, guess what, the NY Times is running multiple editorials about how we prove Trump had "intent" to commit a crime.
Since when has anyone EVER considered intent after a crime has been committed? IF a crime has been committed, then, a black man so accused is shoveled off to prison.
So, now? If a white man breaks the law even the NY Times comes up with fake stuff like proving "intent" so Trump can get off. No wonder Trump was born and raised in NY.
If there was a crime, and, there was, then, that's it. Intent is irrelevant. Arrest, try, convict and prison.
Intent has been proven repeatedly, by TFG’s own words. It’s time to prosecute, regardless of Republican push back. And yes, it will be ugly, but, it’s necessary.
The intent is being proven by the evidence which is being laid out thoroughly and clearly in full view. Merrick Garland has said he's watching. The rule of law is on the brink. Judge Luttig said it, slowly, clearly and carefully: Trump is a clear and present danger.
When I sat on a Jury for a murder trial, the judge informed us explicitly that 'intent' should not be considered, only the facts of the case as presented.
And his co-conspirators and those who terrorize election workers, elected officials and their families and staff. They are all very ugly. (Are they actually Americans??). The Ugly Americans who tried to overthrow their own country with lies, deceit and even murder and maiming.
Same here. Those were the words I found myself repeating to a friend that had not watched. Their lives were changed forever from this, and just because they felt so strongly about their duty to the U.S. and it's elections. This is a trauma that will never go away.
None of us do, Rowshan. Her words were powerful. And she reached many people. I am very glad the committee chose to show her deposition. It is pushing back against lies with truth that restore some semblance of balance. What she said united many people in compassion.
I completely agree Michael. Very moving testimony. And I was also proud of the witnesses, and not only disgusted by what Trump and his evil clowns did to these honest hard working civil servants, but embarrassed that this could have ever happened to them. And if anything comes out of this, it will be that these dedicated people of integrity will not have to risk their lives telling the truth again
They are due financial compensation for this seditious treachery against them and our sacred elections. They must pay for all the mental and physical terror inflicted as well as financial compensation for loss of jobs and income. Take it right out of each seditious official's bank accounts...here and overseas.
The immense numbers who do not support swift justice have been taught to believe what their "leaders" tell them to believe period. That happens to include labeling evidence of any kind as maleficent political propaganda. "COVID is made in Chinese labs." "Climate change is a fabrication." "Critical thinking is a threat." "Biden caused gas prices to rise." "Social programs bankrupted America." "America has the world's best medical care system." It's quite easy to see how this same crowd who believes such absurdities and has no capacity to question them will be impervious to being persuaded by today's hearings. They will simply label all of the testimony as orchestrated lies.
I don’t paint democrats, despite plenty of flaws, with the same tar brush as republicans, who have made a mockery of patriotism, Christianity, public service, and America, itself.
Not to dishonor Bowers but his statements re the Constitution being a devined document made me cringe, especially on the same day SCOTUS ruled Maine must give religious private schools tax dollars. If I were a Mainer, I'd be advocating that NO taxes go to private schools and invest all those dollars into public education. I don't know about Maine but elsewhere in the country, notably Alabama, private schools--especially religious ones--were just another means to keep schools desegregated.
We’re fortunate that voters showed up for the Blue team in our past couple of elections here in Maine. “The state will review the decision and its effects on the tuition program, said Lindsay Crete, a spokesperson for Gov. Janet Mills. But she noted that the Democratic governor had signed a bill into law last year ensuring that religious schools do not discriminate against employees or students based on gender identity.
That was a bid to insulate public funding from the schools at the center of the lawsuit, Bangor Christian Schools and Temple Academy in Waterville. Both schools said while arguing the lawsuit that they would not change policies to accept state funding. They do not hire gay or transgender teachers and would not admit students who identify that way.
Attorney General Aaron Frey, a Democrat, was more strident, saying he intends to work with Mills’ office and the Legislature to “address” the court’s decision in state law.
“While parents have the right to send their children to such schools, it is disturbing that the Supreme Court found that parents also have the right to force the public to pay for an education that is fundamentally at odds with values we hold dear,” he said in a statement.”
To me, when Bowers and other witnesses bring their religious belief into their testimony, they are showing themselves as trustworthy to the skeptics who share their religious beliefs, possibly persuadable people who have trusted Trump so far.
Here in NH, the legislature wrote & passed a school voucher bill then the governor gladly signed it. It diverts public education monies to private and religious schools and home schoolers. There's little if any monitoring of how those monies will be spent, what the content is, or whether the instructors are even board certified teachers-it's not required. For Profit companies are participating. The school voucher program is already 5000 % over budget in less than a year. After they did that, they cut public education funds even more! The main problem is that the public schools are primarily funded by property taxes & have been underfunded for decades, even after the NH Supreme Court mandated changes 20 years ago.
Lawrence O'Donnell said recently that TFG had everyone around him breaking their Oaths of Office for 4 years. He couldn't understand why others in the States wouldn't do the same.
It's been a struggle to raise my head above the smoke of January 6, the tsunami of lies from Republicans and the complacency of United States citizens to be able to feel proud to be an American. Yesterday's January 6 hearing was a shining moment for Democracy. I feel hope again.
I stopped being proud to be American when an American helicopter dipped down to get a close look at a group of 12 year old boys gathering wood outside their village in Afghanistan......
then......rose up in the air, pulled the .50 caliber machinegun to the door and killed all but one of the villages boys. One boy was crushed by a tree clipped by a bullet and survived to tell what happened.
they think patriotism is anything that makes them more money, keeps them in power and allows them, their families and associates to parade their brand of Christianity around the town square waving the flag
I agree, Donna. I hate the way the R's misuse theword patriotism as well as many others -- family values, freedom, faith, accusing Dems of facism, and more.
“Patriotism” is putting certain U.S. citizens ahead of others. “Patriotism” means more power and authority for “whites,” “Christians,” and societal reactionaries, and reducing-eliminating power for “immigrants” and African-Americans and Native Americans and anyone who isn’t heterosexual.
Let them, Ed. They can say what they want, but all that they did is in plain sight this time. Not hidden in “lists of names” whatever Guiliani and his goons said to anyone. Shameful traitors. Lock them ALL up!
Ed, out of all the powerful & moving testimony we heard yesterday, one response by Gabriel Sterling stuck w me as it hits at the (actual) heart of why evidence doesn’t matter to so many.
When Rep. Schiff asked him about how to combat misinformation when t has such a large bully pulpit, Sterling’s reply said it all. He said “the problem you have is you’re getting to people’s hearts.”
Sterling went on w a specific experience he had while walking an attorney through all the evidence:
“This wasn't true. Ok, I get that. This wasn't true. Ok, I get that. This wasn't — five or six things. But at the end he goes, I just know in my heart they cheated. That's the stan [sic] -- and so once you get past the heart, the facts don't matter as much.”
Chilling, & very close to the words used by the NM county commissioner who refused to certify the election, even after the NMSC ordered him to. It seems nothing will change the hearts of too many in this crazy cult that holds sway over too many.
Yes--case in point, and the frightening thing is the numbers. I'm at a conference now in Denver working to show that the higher order thinking stages require not just knowledge and skills but knowing yourself and how we get in our own way. After that, the next higher levels include empathy for others along with expertise. Mostly, higher education is growing students in knowledge and skills with content but not growing them as people to understand themselves.
I found the running commentaries beside the video surprisingly encouraging. There were very few who did not see what they were looking at, and fell back ineptly on things like "Schiff is lying."
I had a hard time understanding the "suitcase of ballots" video. It was clarified to me later (I forget from whom and where) that there is a particular box that is used to store the ballots not yet counted, and that the video showed it was the appropriate box.
It was a special “box,” not a suitcase, that could be secured. In TN paper ballots, after being scanned, fall into a locked cabinet. After the polls close, the locked cabinet is unlocked and the bag containing the ballots locked and secured with a numbered zip tie and delivered to the Election Commission office. I would guess every state has something similar.
Thanks for this explanation, MLM. I saw that video early on and couldn't figure out what they were talking about that was fraudulent. I suspect that Rudy and his friends didn't know what they were looking at either, but it didn't matter as they already made up their minds what tale they were going to spin.
If the media had widely educated the public about these standard election procedures instead of focusing on claims like the suitcase example, we would be much better off. Until these hearings I did not know any details regarding the “suitcase of ballots” debunking. It could have been done long ago.
In Florida, there is a requirement that ballots be transported in boxes that are secured from the polls on election night to the SOE by two people of different parties, Republican & Democrat.
You are correct. The people who live inside of "belief space" are fully insulated from reality by a combination of their own choices and clever lies from Fox and Limbaugh.
But, America has always been easily swayed by lies and fakery. Remember Salem and a bunch of teenage girls burned at the stake by the "respectable" townspeople?
No facebook or twitter was needed to point to a young woman and have her burned alive based on a lie.
Before Republicans and Democrats manipulating the people, there were religions promoting belief in witches, running inquisitions, and invoking explanations of real world phenomena by crediting them to gods and a spirit world. Salem citizens believed in witches. They brought those beliefs imparted by religions into their social order. Right-wing religion of today is a short step away from such profoundly ugliness imparted by irrational belief systems devoid of empathy.
It feels that hearing by hearing the 1/6 Committee is piling heavier and heavier on the roof of the House of Trump. One can hear the creaking of the timbers as they attempt to sustain the house and cracking sounds as the roof groans in protest. I felt that image all through yesterday’s testimony.
Surely at some point the weight is going to be too much for even those most hardened uncooperative witnesses and Fox charlatans. Surely the DOJ is going to be embarrassed into moving forward with celerity to demolish this whole rotten structure.
I saw American nobility in those witnesses last night. They represented your country at its very finest - stubbornly idealistic, immune to pressure of the foulest sort despite the pain it brought down on them, in the best sense of the word “righteous” people.
It must have astounded Trump to run into such brick walls after four years of dealing with servile toadies.
Kudos, kudos, kudos to this House Committee. They have done extraordinary, historic work. Jamie Raskin promised that the hearings would “bring the house down”. He was not referring to Trump’s house of horrors, but he might well have been.
I think we are going to hear much, much more this summer.
Yes, America IS marching toward a cliff at breakneck speed. I heard a commentator on CNN recently saying that to prosecute Trump, we would need to know his "intent" and that is a hard thing to prove in court. Well, all of this testimony and all of these witnesses, we can pretty much know that his intent was not benign. Members of his own party coming forward to say they knew that he knew-he even said so many times-that he had lost the election. His intent was to incite his murderous mob to reign down violence and mayhem on our nation's Capitol. His intent was to try to nullify my legally cast ballot and those of millions of others. To me ,this is a no-brainer. The evidence is just too damning this time to let this be pushed under the rug again. While I want complete justice for these heinous acts, the least that could be done is this-the Senate needs to invoke the 14th Amendment to disqualify him from ever running for office again.
I don't know if it's just California but, when I served on the jury for a murder trial, the judge warned jurors that we weren't to consider intent, only the evidence presented by prosecution and defense.
I think the witnesses aquited themselves quite well. Honorable people doing honorable things for which I can find no flaws in their reasons expressed. Thanks each of you for you public service and standing up for our democracy when it mattered.
We missed the first part of the hearing, but did hear the last part by the state officials and then the heart rending testimony by the two election workers. Yes, this is how it works. The top of the pile of poop lets the thugs do their dirty work while spreading lies and pressuring people with not too subtle threats and then inspiring the thugs to target them and their families. Ugly beyond words. I made up my mind after hearing all this, that I was not going to let the first support for death star pass. Sure enough my former brother-in-law, expressed his support for mafia don. I posted just one sentence, that death star is a criminal and a traitor. That doesn't begin to cover it, but...I didn't have time to do more. Then came the news that the Stench Court has ruled that taxpayers must now pay for the teaching of religious hatred at private religious schools. Where does it look like we are heading....to a theocratic autocracy run by the super rich with the brown shirt thugs doing the dirty work. And finally, I hope Ron Johnson is not reelected.....gosh, it must have been an intern...I don't know anything about it. The witnesses today had so much courage and then we have people like Johnson demonstrating how unfit they are for public office.
Just today, the WaPo is reporting that members of the J6 Committee have been given a security detail due to increasing threats on their safety. https://wapo.st/39KHp8Y
I think we should start a movement to change the name from "MAGA" to "gullible". If every time someone repeated one of Trumps lies they got called gullible, maybe some sense of reality would start to sink in.
It's pretty to think so. I silently call them AS***ES. What amazes me is that the people I know who support TFG are diverse, and span my poor white trash relatives, my working lower class relatives, and my well educated mixed racial friends. I have a friend who volunteers full time in the Latinx community to talk to people about the consequences of supporting these MAGA people and to substantiate that MAGA will use them, crumple them up and throw them away like so many pieces of trash. It boggles my mind.
Love the idea. Mini bumper sticker we plop on their backs as we congratulate them for their passionate idiocy. Sorta like "bless you for your good heart" ... and empty mind.
Ex-so-called-president Trump is a thug. The gangs that have harassed election workers and others in his name stop just short of the Nazi Brown Shirts prior to WW II; give them uniforms and they would be indistinguishable. Perhaps the hearings will "penetrate the bubble" to some extent, but, as I and others have said in this forum (and to my congressional representative), the Democrats should be mounting a major PR campaign to drive home to the public at large what is being exhibited in the hearings. Politics Girl (I think that's what she's called), at the link given by someone here yesterday, showed the frustration with the lack of Democratic messaging.
Speaking of manipulated citizens: Tom Nichols, contributing writer for the The Atlantic, has an intriguing piece about the psychology of MAGA zealots and their penchant for abuse and violence. I'm not sure his take applies to all of them because some have an innate proclivity to hate and mistreat others or it stems from their upbringing. But it's worth a read.
"No one who truly believes they are right threatens to hurt anyone for expressing a contrary view. The snarling threat of violence never comes from people who calmly believe they are in the right. It is always the instant resort of the bully who feels the hot flush of shame rising in the cheeks and the cold rock of fear dropping in the pit of the stomach."
Michael Bales - I read it at your suggestion - it was excellent. I posted it on my FB page. I also highlighted the quote you did. I dealt with bullies as a child. Never again. I may be small in stature and getting up there in age, but age imparts a modicum of fearlessness.
I would agree because so many of these people are resentful of those who have more education, more money, nice things, and respect for accomplishments. Or at the top they are sociopaths like death star who feel that they are entitled to whatever they want. Those like mafia don are soulless
....and disgusted by those Republican Senators and Representatives who have yet to speak out against TFG. All I could hear in my head, addressed to the supposed Republican "leaders" is: "Have you no shame? " Haven't seen anyone new speak out. I was moved to tears by yesterday's testimony.
We could certainly use another Joseph Welch to combat the Republican party's McCarthyism through their outright bullying of upstanding Americans.... "At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"
Indeed that is what George Conway (a conservtive Republican, even) said on CNN after the hearings -- that yesterday's testimony seemed to him like the "have you no decency" moment.
The image of the cowardly Wisconsin Senator Johnson, running away from owning his actions to undermine the Constitution he swore to protect and defend, is an apt metaphor for the entire Republican Party trying to duck and weave away from what it has collectively, energetically, done to destroy American democracy.
I am hoping I live long enough to see American democracy destroy the current version of the Republican Party.
I am hoping the same. I think America is genetically predisposed to the kind of cancer that is currently ravaging the country. It needs some very invasive treatment in order to get a clean bill of health. One part of that treatment, once the J6 Congressional Hearings are over, is the prosecution of all the parties that were involved, from top to bottom, in what was clearly a deliberate attempt to overthrow our government. The other part of the treatment is much greater participation in the democratic process by Americans who actually believe in democracy and rule of law. I am quite sure there are more of us in that camp than those who seem to be bent on destroying democracy. I think several election cycles of us making such a statement would quiet down the madding crowd enough that would could get back to a rational debate about how to move this country forward. Unfortunately, it won't only be about voting, although that's a fundamental part of it. It will be also about wholeheartedly supporting people who are leading the way on fighting for voter rights and against voter suppression.
Johnson told reporters last night that he knew nothing about these slates, that it was an intern who must have done it and wouldn't investigate this any further because there is no story here.
"Johnson told reporters last night that he knew nothing about these slates, that it was an intern who must have done it and wouldn't investigate this any further because there is no story here."
Throw another American under the bus. Seems to be the solution applied by the GOP. Say/do whatever is necessary to deflect responsibility. And ask for more money.
When I think of the punishment Lardo Lardass deserves for his crimes, it comes down to "gettin' all medieval on yo ass" (as per "Pulp Fiction") and in the specific details has to be filed under "If my thought dreams could be seen/They'd probably put my head in a guillotine..."
There is nothing too bad or too extended could happen to him.
That said, I am really glad to know a guy like Rusty Bowers still exists. I'm certain I could disagree with him on any number of policy questions, but on the Important Questions, he's someone to hold up as an inspiration. The same for Raffensperger.
And when I think of the story of Lady Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shay Moss, I want to multiply Lardo's punishment by 1,000x.
Punishment would be the squalid prisons so many Americans suffer in. Any would do. He can live out his days to repent eating nutraloaf, enduring constant noise, threats, and humiliation. We do this to punish poor people who break the law
We have a shithole of a state prison here in Reidsville GA that will do just fine and it’s where he will likely end up if he’s convicted in Atlanta, it’s the last prison in this state that you would ever want to spend time in, it’s my hope that they are welding his despicable name onto a cell door there as I write this, if he was to take his last breath in there it would barely be a down payment on what he owes for the harm he has done throughout his life.
I still cannot shake why Rusty Bowers, at the time, did not come forward and share this seditious behavior. He was already being harassed and terrorized. Perhaps he did share it.
I would like to see an entire hearing where every one of the witnesses comes in to explain why they waited until now to speak up. I don't mean that in a derogatory manner, but what level of threat was imposed on them by the GOP to stay silent.
Bowers has been outspoken about his support for AZ election, although maybe that doesn’t get picked up by national media. He has also been very busy trying to head off the craziness of proposed legislation here. If not for him……..
Bowers, yes, even through constant threats. I don't fault them for not. Frankly, I doubt I would if I had someone threatening me 24/7. I would like to know the root of the threats. I think just that aspect deserves a separate investigation.
At Tuesday’s hearing of the January 6th Committee, Rusty Bowers earned the admiration of a grateful nation for his principled refusal to surrender to Trump’s demands to overturn the 2020 election. On Wednesday, Bowers revealed that his principles and “faith” will not prevent him from voting for Trump in 2024. According to Bowers, he will vote for Trump because
"what he did the first time, before COVID, was so good for the country. In my view it was great."
Of course, Bowers skips over the part where Trump incited a violent insurrection to overturn two centuries of constitutional rule in America. That pesky fact is apparently less important to Bowers than what Trump did in his first term as president before losing the November election.
Bowers is apparently referring to Trump’s signature legislative achievement—reducing the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%.
That tax cut resulted in a loss of revenue that propelled the budget deficit to near-record levels ($1 trillion) before the Covid stimulus packages. Setting aside the efforts of Bush and Obama to save the economy from collapse in the Great Recession of 2008, Trump owns the largest deficit of any US president.
Other Trump achievements include:
* Legislation ending an Obama-era regulation that prevented coal-mining companies from dumping debris and waste into nearby streams;
* Legislation ending financial disclosure requirements for energy firms;
* Legislation repealing an Obama-era regulation requiring internet service providers to seek customers’ consent before sharing private data;
* Legislation prohibiting the Department of Education from adopting the Common Core curriculum (which was created by agreement among the states, not the federal government);
* Imposing protectionist tariffs on China that were paid for by US consumers; and
* Pardoning Jared Kushner’s father (Charles Kushner), Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Steve Bannon, Paul Manafort, George Papadopoulos, and Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
And let’s not forget the ban on travel from Muslim countries, separating children from parents at the border, and wasting billions of taxpayer dollars on a “wall to nowhere.”
Ah, yes, Rusty Bowers! Those were the “good old days” when government favored business over the people’s interest in privacy, the environment, education, and financial transparency, and when the president’s “cronies” received a “Get Out of Jail Free” card!
As discussed in The Atlantic’s article, The Comment That Reveals the Depths of the Republican Party’s Moral Collapse, Bowers is not the only allegedly “principled” Republican who has opposed Trump in the past but who is now happy to vote for Trump in 2024. Susan Collins? Yup! Brad Raffensperger? Of course! Mitch McConnell? Need you ask? Bill Barr? Faster than you can say, “Vladimir Putin”!
The fact that “principled” Republicans can overlook the stray coup and occasional insurrection so long as businesses receive tax cuts is worrisome, to say the least. It highlights the fact that there is no substitute for putting Trump behind bars for the rest of his life. If we don’t, faux patriots like Rusty Bowers will campaign for Trump in 2024 without regard to the threat he poses to our democracy.
As extraordinary a story as is being told, individuals are responding precisely as you might expect them to. tfg continues to spout the same garbage he always has, matching fact with fiction, blow for blow. The conspirators deny, deny, deny that they were complicit, instead blaming low level staff members in their offices and vague awareness that "something" had been afoot. The media mouthpieces apply the same fantasy factory to the investigation that they did to the electoral process. Other entities say "we thought we were only assisting" another entity like the orange emperor's presidential campaign office. Dodge and weave, hide behind hastily erected barriers such as "proxy executive privilege", ignorance of what was going on within one's own offices, refusal to accept legitimacy of the investigating committee, the legitimacy of a subpoena, take the 5th, deflect accountability under oath, hope that cooperation yields indemnity, request preemptive pardons, scrub, scrub, rinse, repeat. These are not imaginative responses. I fully expect to hear that some of these individuals ultimately decamp to places in the world without extradition treaties as the judicial noose begins to tighten some months from now. The story is extraordinary in exposing the scope and intensity of the plot, right up to and including the CEO of the government. And, even in it's blatant criminality, it represents the same hubris demonstrated by His Royal Orangeness over decades in the business sector, in Hollywood and on the New York tabloid pages. You truly get what you pay for; hire a criminal, get criminal behavior. I think, ultimately, we're going to look back on all of this and wonder, how could we have been collectively so deluded as to think that this blustering blowhard was going to have a net-positive effect on our country in spite of his personal behavior and the history of his public conduct. We didn't elect a high class crook; we installed an "enforcer", a thug, a bully, a two-bit petty thief and grifter where we needed an honest and experienced executive.
We mistook hubris for charisma, pathological lying for political ideology, nepotism for executive privilege, narcissism for any shred of altruistic principle. It doesn't matter that more voted for someone else than for him. What matters is that there are far more eligible voters who stayed home in addition to those who showed up to vote against him. The silent, disinterested, complacent, cynical, disheartened and defeated non-voters paved his way into office. That is where our collective accountability lies. We've been served the bitter fruit of indulgent complacency and now we're choking on the aftertaste of having been compelled to swallow what was on our plates.
We can't even hope that his previously converted acolytes will be deterred by this detailed expose. All we can hope is that enough light has been shed in the dark corners of our political landscape that an additional mass of slumbering citizens will awaken and join the rest of us at the polls who can distinguish fact from fantasy amongst the candidates.
Bowers: “I don’t want to win by cheating.” How refreshing to hear this from a Republican, even one who continues to idolize Reagan as a beacon of democracy. How many other Republicans out there have a functioning conscience?
"We've been served the bitter fruit of indulgent complacency and now we're choking on the aftertaste of having been compelled to swallow what was on our plates."
While this substack's shared community brings gathering strength, I sometimes worry we fail to appreciate when our protestations center on what's on our plates, how little resonates with disaffected voters. Our deeds not our words will bring them back as participating voters. Are we monitoring the local government meetings, like the US Army vet in Uvalde? Are we serving as poll workers like the brave citizens in Georgia who know disenfranchisement is always on the table? [By the way, all are women.] Are we perceived as committed footsoldiers for the imperfect and unsteady process that is democracy, or just daily lamenters?
As Frederick Douglass famously said, God didn't start answering my prayers until I got up off my knees and started marching (paraphrasing).
Nathan, I am in awe of how astutely you have captured the deep and pervasive corruption that has settled upon the republic. Still, I dare say too much is at stake for our spirits to flag.
I see the truth “seeping” in thanks to the excellent bipartisan work of the J6 committee. As acknowledged by the carnival barkers themselves, keeping the carnival from distorting the serious truthful testimony being presented has made it much more credible and easier to listen to. Truth is spreading. More people are tuning in. Many people are shocked. We only need a strong majority and adherence to the truth and the rule of law. In a democracy, justice is slow and grinding, but the truth shall keep us free. So grateful and hopeful for our public servants committed to truth.
Playing their game. Creating chaos as never seen before. Within the Republican Party. Trump and his ilk are so crafty at creating chaos. However, their response to it thrown back at them is to scurry like rats on a sinking ship.
That’s the thing about lies. Initially will advance your agenda only to run the risk of your lie becoming a deadly weapon against your agenda.
Please don’t say “we!” I feel I have been fighting in sludge since his first public rally. I even emailed CNN that day to ask why they had given so much time and attention to him at that time.They are as guilty as FOX for the rapid rise of the monster. Yesterday’s witnesses left me in tears and then rants. We know T is sick in the head, but what explains Guiliani’s off the charts participation in cruel, fictitious productions?
Despicable is the only word I have. If this is not High Crimes, I don't know what is. To my conservative friends & family who still support Trump and his lie. Wake the F,,,, up. NOW.
Actually Fox "News" needs to taken to task for their part in this...especially show "hosts" who spew false information leading to insurrection and violence against a lawful proceeding. That all goes way beyond Freedom of the Press protections of the 1st. These folks are not legitimate media outlets. They are a propaganda machine.
As you say Mike, wake the f*** up. Turn off the TV. Read a real newspaper. Or better yet, read the damn Constitution. Read the oaths these hateful seditionists took. Call Ron Johnson’s office and demand he resign. Sigh. The violence perpetrated by these folks is unconscionable. Wish the DOJ would get a move on.....
I think the DOJ is allowing the House Committee to make their case before moving. There's really no rush to justice here. The best result is to have Trump & Company "pinned to the mat" in the weeks just before mid-terms, with as much chaos in the GOP as possible. I worked around politics for too long, most of them are rats who will try to survive the sinking of the Trump-tanic. The die-hard loyalists will go down with the ship or leave. Right now dis-array in the GOP is the goal....and getting Middle America/ the swing votes disturbed enough to not vote Republican.
Yes, Mike. Use their own game against them. The Jan 6th committee and witnesses, despite tremendous pressure, demonstrating “there is no winning by cheating” is doing a masterful job of this, even if it’s an unintentional result. Trump and Guliani and Eastman’s goal was to create chaos, regardless of fact. Create situation that certified electoral votes could be sent back to states.
Chaos is being created now in the Republican Party as truth pushes back against lies. Watch the rats scurry. Johnson on tape running from Manu Raju of CNN while he threw aides under the bus was classic example.
My local paper reported today poll that 58% think that Trump should be charged. Way up from what was thought before hearings.
While maintaining extraordinary decorum and process, the Jan 6th committee is getting “loud”.
I agree, Mike. The issue gor me is that these very well organized bastards are in my blue county in suburban MN wreaking havoc with their FOIA bulltweed and practicing their intimidation tactics on our election officials including a close friend who is frankly frightened about keeping her family safe. Our US Rep, Angie Craig, is in a very tight race with a Trump supporter and the district is a focus of a lot of big money. Dangerous times. And I keep having to rein in my Irish. Tough job at the moment….
Sheila, here's a thought about your friend. Create a "Watch Group" and publicize it with a News Conference, that she is receiving threats...document them and report that friends have come together to form a watch group to be vigilant against violence. I'd also install a video security system outside. You can't let them dictate the terms...all most of them want to do is terrorize. If there's a real threat, the police or FBI should be investigating.
Sorry to hear and thanks for your perspective. Here in MD we don't have that problem in our House races. Only one district is really in play here. We're pretty Blue. As to the election official I'd consider reverse bullying. I've used it and generally it's pretty effective. Go on the offense, don't play their game. Disrupt it. ID them when you can. Call out the cowards. Do whatever you legally can to make them back away.
Read about Ginni Thomas’s new book today. She is so proud to have her husband’s law clerks sprinkled across the land. And I am appalled that they are likely to be people who will, like officials in New Mexico, refuse to certify an election. Dark and frightening days.
Either America strikes at the head -- at the raving mad gangster and acolytes, out to take down the country and its institutions -- or America, its Constitution, democracy itself, are pathetic victims of a deadly auto- immune disease.
The doctors may be hard at work on a cure, but the population -- the body politic -- is just standing around, doing nothing, moaning about symptoms that are irksome but not life-threatening, quite unable to face up to the mortal danger bearing down on us all.
Back yet again -- ad nauseam -- to words I wrote on September 10th 2001...
Our democracies... like a dog asleep in the middle of the road.
Yes, I have the uncomfortable feeling that if Trump and his fellow conspirators are not charged with crimes and convicted, then the US is irrevocably broken and our form of government is fatally flawed. It is so ironic that with all of the proof being revealed about what happened, it is the liars with no proof who continue to gain ground.
I'd far rather be mistaken -- but the evidence keeps piling up, and the hydra head keeps adding to it daily, hourly, in plain sight... of all those who have eyes to see, ears to hear.
In plain sight, it’s as if they think chump is still behind the podium. And they are trying with all their might and money to make it so. Otherwise, empty the prisons of the pot dealers and make room.
Truth be told, Kathy, the US is broken and our form of government is flawed. This decade will clarify whether the dysfunction is irrevocable and fatal ... vile hatred and murderous intent fueled by unbridled egocentricity are not revolutionary - just an invitation to more of the same by another name. True revolution is a wheel ever turning toward a more enlightened world where universal love is the law in a ground of truth. So ..., what has become of our American Revolution? Time will tell ....
I think our system of government had serious problems from the start. 1) The Senate. At first glance it seems “fair” that every state gets two senators, no matter its size. Until one realizes how the Senate operates today to thwart the will of the people. The organized minority, for all intents and purposes is in control to benefit ultra wealthy donors. 2) The Electoral College. We are all seeing how this entity can be manipulated. Thomas Jefferson started manipulating it very early on when he prevailed upon men in districts in Virginia to join their votes together in a block to elect him. That was the beginning of winner take all outcomes in presidential elections. Only two states operate by districts. Maine and Nebraska, I think. The founders cobbled together what they could get passed, thinking things would be revisited in the future. How is that 240 year old system working for us today in 2022?
As Howard Zinn would say, democracy is not a spectator sport, and it appears that the liberals have become, without noticing it, a collection of spectators.
Please remember, Peter, 81 million of us did not stand around, doing nothing. We voted! We will vote again and with the flood lights on the criminals, I think we will succeed.
But I do want to add my conviction that voting will not be enough. Such is the sorry state of democratic institutions that their restoration must call for citizens' constant participation through free associations -- new life to civic society.
Instead, we have currently a system in which citizens are the fifth wheel of the cart and far, far greater power is vested in Washington lobbies that pull all the strings of congressmen-puppets and pay them handsomely to do their masters' will. Money and corporate power should have access to government, but now that access has been becoming so exclusive that the lobbyist cuckoos have pushed ordinary citizens out from the nest.
The process has gone so far that nefarious interests are striving to replace the federal government by direct oligarchy -- and to hell with citizens. Witness Rand Paul's recent behavior.
Democratic institutions are not stone monuments, they have life, the life we put into them. As living beings, they must be fed, watered, cared for.
Currently, the enemies of the people are doing their damnedest to turn America's institutions into well-whited sepulchers.
Too true Peter ... and, on the other side of the idealistic dream, the murderous, rapist, thieving culture at the root is reaping it's just rewards ... I believe, in the long run, truth and love will prevail ....
Get quiet with me for a minute, Peter. Finally, after the hearing yesterday, I heard grenades going off within created chaos. Thinking to myself, dang it, what is going on today in Ukraine or which principle of democracy is being hurt today.
Oddly, it wasn’t either of those things. Well aimed grenades, produced through extraordinary decorum, process, truth, and bravery of American to tell the truth, are on an arc of justice through the air straight at treason, lies, and Trump and all his ilk.
I feel a tide turned yesterday. I know it’s just me, but I swear I heard a rising swell of a crowd getting loud in the background. And it was my crowd, not the one of treason.
American institutions of democracy are "... pathetic victims of a deadly auto-immune disease." Trump is able to start and spred a dangerous infection, nut when it comes to stopping a deadly one, he's proved his incompetence.
Competence/incompetence were never important to that man. He lied, scammed and cheated, others paid. A highly competent conman, his political career has depended on an uncanny gift closely akin to Hitler's: ability to give voice to the hitherto repressed hatreds and resentments lurking in the depths of the collective unconscious. He may have lost an election, he has lost none of his stranglehold on the minds of his followers.
Fortunately, his ascendance was never as complete as Hitler's, it never extended to all the American people but split the population roughly down the middle. But he has never admitted defeat and is set on clawing back total victory from his 2020 setback -- defeat at the polls. Total victory...
His project -- imposing HIS will on the world -- still seems to be going to plan. And even if the geriatric Caligula should fail to regain power, there are younger, less accident-prone would-be Emperors waiting in the wings.
Where are the political organizations organizing street protests for this?!
Have they all been infected by the paralysis of propaganda, caught in the bubble of screen-time simulation of activism?!
As Howard Zinn would say, democracy is not a spectator sport, and it appears that the liberals have become, without noticing it, a collection of spectators.
I want her prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and her evil, corrupt and creepy husband impeached and indicted. Let him face the jury. Her book will give her cigarette money in prison….
The January 6th committee hearings should be played over and over in every highschool and college in America.
There is a connection between American gun violence, America's number one in the world covid19 deaths, the January 6th violence, the continuing Republican violence to break our election system in America, our unmitigated climate crisis and Putin's invasion of Ukraine that puts everyone at grave risk.
Our school children, minority communities and elderly in particular are dying at higher rates with increasing violence because of the virulence of Trump Republicans. Our economy is increasingly more stressed and failing. Our social fabric is stretching and tearing. Our political system is broken. Our domestic and international security are in question. All because Trump Republicans have bought into an alternative reality that looks like a knock off of Putin's Russia and our former Confederacy, both based on a form of white supremacy and slavery to their violent authoritarian ideas.
Indeed true. I have thought for awhile that all of the current crises facing us today, have been created by repubs, made worse by repubs and solutions obstructed by republicans. Goes way back but chump set in motion the deliberate and calculated machinations geared toward the destruction of our administrative state (articulated by Steve Bannon). And Rupert Murdoch, our minister of propaganda, signed on to woo the masses of asses that bought Reagan’s neatly scripted plans for political domination, by whatever means. Chump is the bookEND. May we hope and pray.
Drawing the lines of connection between, gun violence, Covid deaths, our disregard for the climate crisis, the Ukraine invasion, and the attempts to break our election system is well done.
I heard the rumbles and thunder of Democracy yesterday, Ally. I know it’s metaphorical, but honestly? The bolts of lightning raining down on the traitors by the Jan 6th committee is unmistakable to me.
I felt like getting on a charging horse and riding into the fray.
Instead, I’ll listen and dance to my playlist today. I’ll start with the following. And sway to this one. https://youtu.be/PEAtsgMsWmo
At the very least, the hearings provide irrefutable evidence that Trump and his confederates attempted by fraud, threats of violence, and actual violence to sabotage the peaceful transfer of power to his successor as chosen by means of free and fair elections. But it's what happens next that's most important. If charges are not brought, then the United States becomes just another country that is too weak to uphold its adherence to democratic norms- a performative democracy not that different from Russia. But if charges are brought, there is a genuine risk of massive civil unrest stoked by Trump's enablers in Congress and elsewhere. My hope is that the current administration does not succumb to blackmail and fear. That it stands strong. That it decides that the protection of democracy is worth the risk. That democracy in the United States is a way of life worth fighting for and, if necessary, dying for.
The Biden administration and his appointed AG are doing EVERYTHING they can to demonstrate reasoned bipartisanship and patient execution of the rule of law. I’m pretty sure Biden and Garland wake up every morning hoping Trump has had a heart attack, but in the meantime they are still preparing an AIRTIGHT case to take Trump down. My guess is he’ll be indicted right before the self-imposed “60 day” pre-election moratorium, the one that Comey and Barr completely disregarded.
Today I cried! Listening to the horrors people had to endure just broke me. Yes, I still feel intense anger, but the sadness took front and center.
I just read a NYT article on what it would/could mean if Garland were to take the case. There are numerous reasons why this could fail and/or come back to haunt us forever. I came away feeling that an investigation/conviction are not likely.
Which is why Garland and the DOJ started with the "small fry" and are meticulously working their way up, and why the DOJ has requested copies of Congressional J6 Committee evidence, which Rep. Lofgren says will be delivered to them within 2 weeks. This is also when the committee's "court of public opinion" will have swayed enough powerful Republicans as well as every day Americans that tRump and his mafia must go down. I do not have faith in the New York Times anymore. I do have complete faith in the Biden administration acting on Congress's evidence. We all can do this.
I believe in the First Amendment but as Judge Luttig pointed out it can and should be abrogated in a situation when the nation needs to protect it's own interest. That situation shouldn't be lightly undertaken, but I believe we are approaching such a crisis and I'm beginning to think it would be appropriate to restrict Fox "News" license and carefully review their role in inciting this shyte-show.
Rupert Murdoch should have his purchased citizenship revoked and he should be kicked out of the country and shipped back to Australia (not that they want him, either).
Agree with most of your comment, TL, but though Rupert did initially purchase his citizenship, he is now married to an American citizen, Jerry Hall, & I would not advocate for removing marital citizenship without legitimate due process as there’s already enough bad precedent on stripping that right away from those without money or power, who need it the most.
NYTimes has become the most pessimistic and depressing paper out there. I've been reading it for decades, but the negativity and hopelessness it conveys on a daily basis is almost perverse, almost a call for us to raise our hands in the air to say we can do nothing. It's like psychological warfare on its readers. I read it less and less these days. I do not and cannot believe that these sick, immoral, really evil people on team T can't be held to account for their sedition. The case for sedition is self evident. And their utter cruelty to innocents like Shay and her family must be punished.
The NYT started going downhill when Sulzberger Jr. took over. They became like cheerleaders on immigration. Had they reported honestly on those issues, TFG probably never would have been elected, as immigration was his signature issue.
Since the 1960’s I have been fighting the fight. I look back and see the positive impact our fight had. From civil rights, to women’s rights, etc.
Never before have I felt anger as intense as I do now in this corrupt political climate. The struggle is real, and yet, with people like you by my side, I really think we can prevail.
I, too, am feeling the beginnings of fear. We are on the brink of a civil war, but it would be a war between citizens, not between states. It would be more like the Irish uprisings, but based on ideaology rather than religion (think maybe democracy vs. cultism). When you consider all of the guns out there, and who owns them, there is much to fear (especially for those living in very red states...).
Except for the two poll workers from Fulton County, Georgia, who testified to the harassment and defamation from local Trump supporters, egged on by the former president himself, the principal witnesses that I saw during Tuesday's televised session were Republican state officials from Arizona and Georgia. How lonely, and afraid, those brave individuals must be feeling now. I think it was Representative Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who mentioned that there were more than thirty other potential witnesses, all Republicans, who were invited to testify before the committee, either declining to accept the committee's informal request for them to testify, or by refusing the committee's subpoena. Nonetheless, Mr. Schiff, on behalf of the January 6 committee, ably made his point that the constant pressure applied to state and local public officials charged with managing the election and accurately counting the votes cast in their respective states and electoral districts was incessant and brutal to the point where many election workers and their supervisors, some of whom had perform those tasks in elections going back decades, were now refusing to do those jobs again. It is late in the day, but we as a nation cannot afford to allow this to continue. To counter these threats, statutes and election regulations need to be strengthened to provide for severe punishment for election disruptors and those who incite them to violence.
Likewise, those who planned and participated in the preparation of fraudulent Electoral College certification documents should be indicted and tried for committing fraud against the federal government and their own state governments; and I, for one, would make their terms of incarceration consecutive. Late yesterday evening, a video recording showed Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin hemming and hawing about a batch of false certifications that the senator's Chief of Staff had received from Trump supporters, which documents Senator Johnson was reported to have previously agreed to hand carry with him to Washington, to be delivered into the hands of Vice President Mike pence prior to his constitutional duty to preside over the official counting of the Electoral College state ballots. Whether Wisconsinites pay any sort of attention to Senator Johnson's shenanigans remains to be seen; but as an evidentiary matter, there is opportunity for fruitful discovery as to the identity of the persons who prepared the fraudulent documents; how it came to be that Senator Johnson's Chief of Staff just happen to be the conspirators' intermediary; and what led the conspirators to this fraudulent certification scheme to believe that Senator Johnson was on board, and amenable to putting these forged documents into the Vice President's hands. Cockamamie as the plan was, which is probably why the plan failed, it does show how far the senator was willing to go to support the president's false assertions that he had not lost the election.
Like all of the misbegotten scheming that was circulating within the Republican electoral orbit, an absence of witnesses to what was done is not likely to be a problem; the salient characteristic of these Trump-inspired crimes was their public nature. President Trump's bullying telephone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffenspurger demanding that Raffenspurger find '11,780 yet-uncounted votes for Trump' was astonishing for the brazenness, but also for Trump's cluelessness about what he was actually asking Raffenspurger to actually do, creating a cache of 'newly discovered' ballots, all of which would be for Trump. The idea that Trump believed that this could be done without anybody noticing it beggars the imagination! In point of fact, however, President Trump didn't care whether anyone outside his orbit would've been taken in by the con. Trump had been peddling obvious falsehoods his entire life, and about anything and everything whether relating to Trump or not, it simply didn't matter. There were enough people out in the world who are willing to believe anything that Donald Trump said, that it didn't matter whether it was true or not. The proof of the assertion is today's Republican Party; it is a national political party that is committed to believing, and acting upon, anything and everything that Donald Trump tells them. One could argue that today's Republican Party is held together by its members' almost universally accepted affirmation amongst them, that they're good with anything that Trump tells them, and that the truth of the assertion is irrelevant. Believing the falsehood is a test of their loyalty to him. That is the exact definition of a cult of personality.
That may yet change if Attorney General Merrick Garland makes good on his promises to prosecute those who are implicated in the January 6 Insurrection. One thing that does concern me is what happens after that. I mention this because a third of the American electorate are demonstrably antidemocratic, and they are in thrall to a demonic personality whose self absorption and nihilism knows no bounds.
Those of us who do take the oath of loyalty, or who have in the past taken that oath of loyalty, are appalled but what we see today coming out of the Trump party. Watching Rusty Bowers, the Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, and listening to his testimony, I saw the tears in his eyes as he related his conversation with President Trump, telling him, "You are asking me to do something against my oath, and I will not break my oath." Mr. Bowers spoke of the American Constitution as having been divinely inspired. He also spoke about the harassment that he and his family received from Trump loyalists, which abuse was visited on his desperately ill daughter. She died last year.
Brad Raffenspurger's wife received 'sexualized' threats by text messages, and Trump supporters broke into his daughter-in-law's house.
The two election workers in Fulton County, Georgia, I mentioned above, Shaye Moss, and her mother, Ruby Freeman, were vilified in public denunciations by President Trump and Rudolph Giuliani. Such was their fears that Ms. Freeman was persuaded by the FBI to move out of her home for two months out of concern that she might be attacked and killed by enraged Trump supporters.
We as a nation are going to have to figure out how we need to deal with the former president's hard-core supporters. Unlike in the post-Civil War Reconstruction, and post-World War II Germany, we don't have a military force that will change their mindset. We are stuck with these people. Their behavior is execrable, and those who engage in the kind of harassment and destructiveness that were described in Tuesday's committee hearing need to be punished. If we believe that we live in a nation of laws, those laws need to be enforced. What we discovered during the Trump administration that many of the standards of conduct that we believed had the force of law had nothing in the way of institutionalized enforcement, whether by law or regulation, that compelled obedience. We need to think about that, because Trump-fomented chaos is not an option.
Perversely, conservatives rail against the strictures that government imposes through laws and regulations; and they do so in the name of liberty. And yet, when it comes down to cases it is those selfsame conservatives that over decades, have shown themselves to be incapable of either empathy or self-control when it comes to modulating their appetites and passions. I am writing this today, beset by the reverberations of outrage over what I heard in Tuesday's testimony. The voice I hear in my head has nothing to do with Liberal 'cancel culture' nonsense about 'safe places', 'trigger warnings', and all that other stuff that has to do with fads and fashion. I'm talking about basic decency and respect for other people, and of the jobs they do that are essential to our well-being, and yet so often go unrecognized. Above all, those who behave badly need to be held to account, and as severely as necessary to get the point across.
For the first time I listened live to the testimony of Bowers, Rafensperger and, Wandrea ArShaye “Shaye” Moss.
If the United States of America cannot come up with a "crime' around what Trump sponsored against Shaye Moss and her mother? All the lies around a carefully selected video segment that included African American election workers simply doing their jobs? Black folks selected ON PURPOSE to appeal to the racist segment of America?
Well, if the US cannot offer consequences for what Trump did to Shaye Moss then the United States deserves what it gets when Trump gets elected again.
If the majority of Americans want to see what embracing hate, lying, fear, violence and money is?
Then let them have what they want: Give them Trump unpunished for his entire life of crime, hate, destruction and vile talk.
But, if any reasonable person is the current US Attorney General, then, Trump is going to jail.
Purposefully editing a lengthy video to get a couple of black election workers on video doing their jobs and building a complete lie (ON PURPOSE) around that AND using the people in the video's names to ensure that they might even end up dead?
I don't care if that is illegal or not. It should be. I want Trump jailed for such a reprehensible, despicable, disgusting approach to his life and the lives of others.
Time to give Trump some of his own medicine inside a prison.
Let Trump learn what it is like to be "targeted" on the prison playground. That would be a wonderfully educational experience for him.
So far, in Trump's long life of crime, fully supported in New York City by politicians he purchased, and by America as President, by politicans that are full on cowards,
he has never suffered even for a second for his actions.
He is truly an example of how money, in America, gives birth to evil.
After having destroyed their lives with their lies, why aren’t Ms Moss and Lady Ruby suing Trump & Giuliani for libel and slander. A Billion Bucks will do.
Surely, they deserve recompense ... chances are, they already are traumatized and living in fear for their lives - a lawsuit could exacerbate those dynamics ... from what I hear, people of color in the USA are well accustomed to this kind of thing ... par for the course, so to speak ....
Maybe ... and not just his ... those who lack the conscience, integrity and kindness of heart ... to find pleasure in victimizing others ... to be so full of self-serving ambitions and rampant appetites to desecrate the whole body of life - to satiate unquenchable thirst for more, more and ever more ... I still believe truth and love will prevail - we have to feel our way through ....
Barry, they’ve already sued OAN, a case which has been settled & then dismissed w prejudice at the defendants’ request. In addition, Moss & Freeman have ongoing lawsuits against The Gateway Pundit et al., & against Giuliani. I suspect that after yesterday’s testimony, there could be more suits--but whether they want more litigation will be the decision of both these courageous women & their family as it sounds as though they want to move on, as best they can, though I doubt there’s any amount of $ that could ever make them “whole.”
The problem with suing OAN and other news outlets is that the Free Press is able to report what others said/wrote. However it was both Trump & Giuliani who personally libeled/slandered Moss & Freeman and thus both should be personally sued. After Tuesday's hearing, I would believe that qualified Pro Bono Constitutional Lawyers would be lining up to take their cases.
As I stated, Moss & Freeman have already accepted a settlement against OAN & at Moss & at THEIR request, it was then dismissed without prejudice. The cases against Rudy & The Gateway Pundit et al., are ongoing.
I agree completely, though 100 billion would not be too much. And remember, the standard of proof to prevail in a civil suit 'a preponerance of evidence.'
Virtual Party on Letters to the Editor for Jan. 6 Hearings
Today’s hearing was a powerful one and we want to make sure we are joining these brave individuals in speaking out for what is right.
Join us for a letter to the editor writing party, tomorrow at 4pm ET- including guidance on how to write a letter to the editor regarding the January 6 hearings
Trump and MAGA Republicans have continued working to be able to put themselves in power regardless of the outcome of an election: changing laws that make it more difficult to vote and easier for them to overturn elections they lose so they can elect candidates who will do their bidding. We must speak out and take action to hold those involved in this ongoing criminal conspiracy accountable to protect our freedom in this historic moment. Join us tomorrow to learn how you can raise your voice locally. We hope to see you there!
To preserve my mental health, I rarely read more than just this newsletter as far as news. Currently I’m also out of the country, which is a nice reprieve. I have been wondering for a while though, will any of these discoveries by the Committee lead to any real consequences for these players, like arrests and further down the road, convictions and prison for the big guys? Does any of this have any true legal power? I hope you understand what I mean, I seem to be missing the right vocabulary in my head 😬
Kerstin, you said it just right. Yes, I think this will lead to indictments and convictions. Keep visualizing them all in prison. The power of collective positive thinking and a good committee to pass all their facts to the DOJ.
I doubt I've ever been as moved by testimony at a congressional hearing as I was today. The professor captures effectively and eloquently what was said and its importance. But the video and the voices of the witnesses convey more — their strength and resolve in the face of crushing pressure, and the pain and disruption they've suffered by despicable mistreatment.
I was proud of the witnesses but disgusted beyond words that the President and those who worked for him could wield this much hate. And hate that inspired cruelty by manipulated citizens based on lies upon lies upon more lies.
If today's hearing doesn't penetrate the bubble and build a large majority supporting swift and harsh justice, America hasn't just lost its way. It's marching toward a cliff.
Just reading these words breaks my heart:
“‘Do you know how it feels to have the president of the United States target you?’ Freeman said on video. ‘The President of the United States is supposed to represent every American. Not target one. But he targeted me: Lady Ruby, a small business owner, a mother, a proud American citizen, who stood up to help Fulton County run an election in the middle of the pandemic.’”
Heart-rending, I wept, but I loved that every single member of the Committee went to pay respect, shake hands, some hugged the two women on their way out of the chamber and I hope that they can hang onto that moving experience as time goes by.
Not mentioned in Heather''s Letter was the fact that Shaye's 70-something grandmother, whom she adores, opened her door to find a mob who pushed her inside and searched her house looking for Shaye and Lady Ruby. Giuliani and tRump falsely called Shaye a "low-level drug dealer", they caused so much pain for this family. These un-American thugs have the gall to call themselves patriots...
Nor did she mention the fact that Bowers and his wife were tending to their adult daughter at home while she was dying, losing her battle soon after the inauguration. How painful to have all that going on at a time the family needed love and support. (I understand HCR can't include everything but this really tugged at my heart.)
Agreed. Heather was commenting on Twitter (which I don't have) during the hearing, which must have been exhausting. Then right into her Politics Chat on FB and then to write the Letter, plus no break over the weekend. She badly needs some rest soon.
Thank you Prof. Richardson, if you see this, for all that you do!
YES PLEASE GET SOME REST, PROFFESSOR EXTRAORDINAIRE !
I know, she looked so tired on FB during the chat. She is fighting for democracy so hard.
A sad attempted like
Citizen60-if your attempt @ a heart didn't work, try going to the top of the page & look to the left of the search bar. You'll see an incomplete circle w/an arrow @ the end of it-that's the way to refresh and you should be able to "heart" after that. Sometimes it takes a try or two.
And when we lock them up, they must do restitution and reparations to all the people who have been harmed by their seditious treachery and leading their mobs to attack innocent people.
Yes! They must be held accountable.
I’d seriously bet $ real money nothing happens here. Lock them up? I’d love to see it but I feel I won’t.
I understand your pessimism, but if I did not believe we can win this, I would not be able to get out of bed. Not a very good option. So I remain positive and am doing whatever I can to help move Change along and salvage our democracy and provide consequences to the greedy power mongers whom we are slaves to at the moment. I want my taxes to not pay for one more cent to these seditious elected officials in our government. That is my goal.
Honest question, what happens when we finally see that we didn't win? Not all the insurrectionists are in jail. They were allowed to walk out of there, fly back to their homes. Some have been caught but not enough if you have one person on the New Mexico panel still refusing to certify the results of the recent election. There are other republicans out and about. How is this not white privilege?
I’m thinking the next indictments are the swing state false electors. Fraud, forgery, other. Then some of them turn State’s witness on the higher ups. This has to happen, and keep moving up the chain.
I am optimistic to some extent. The Georgia grand jury should indict Trump, if there is any common sense among them at all.
And Merrick Garland? I have some hope that he will yield to pressure. Not that this is a legal slam dunk by any means - there has to be found a jury of 12 who will unanimously convict, and that could be challenging.
But surely a trial would spell the end of many careers and bring Trumpism to a grinding halt.
Eric, I agree. Fani Willis is a force to be reckoned with, and she is laser-focused. I think she can do it. I'm also encouraged by Merrick Garland, after initially fearing that his determination to not be viewed as a political shill was guiding him.
👍
Can’t lie in court. That disarms TFG s only real weapon.
Hold out hope. Barry Berke seems to think there is an ironclad case against Trump.
Well there clearly is but I still highly doubt this dude will go down. There are so many politicians and high end folks who never go to jail or get punished (white collar crime). It all gets swept away and forgotten because the American public have short attention spans now and are more interested in some celebrities Poop in bed saga than the very people who dictate our lives.
Speaking of seditious treachery, item 33 of the 2022 Texas Republican platform reads as follows:
"33. State Sovereignty: Pursuant to Article 1, Section 1, of the Texas Constitution, the federal government has impaired our right of local self-government. Therefore, federally mandated legislation that infringes upon the 10th Amendment rights of Texas should be ignored, opposed, refused, and nullified. Texas retains the right to secede from the United States, and the Texas Legislature should be called upon to pass a referendum consistent thereto."
Personally, I have little problem about letting Texas secede (present company excluded, of course). But, for the time being, does this plank of the Texas Republican platform constitute evidence of seditious conspiracy? Any legal scholars out there who can answer this question?
In answer to my own question, here's the definition of seditious conspiracy according to U.S. Federal law (via Wikipedia, so should be checked):
"In the United States, seditious conspiracy is codified at 18 U.S.C. § 2384:
If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both."
Sounds right to me.
❤️ Sounds right to me, too!!
I thought state "nullification" of federal law was solved by the Civil War. Silly me.
Yes, but not for them, they weren't born yet, and they know who really won the Civil War. That Appomattox business was a yuge hoax. The Confederate Army may have laid down their arms, but now EVERYONE has arms at the ready - lots of them, in all shapes and sizes.
Here in NH the legislature has already passed a law that forbids the state from assisting federal agencies in regards to certain parts about enforcing federal gun laws; it awaits the governor's signature. Unfortunately, there are a number of ultra libertarian legislators who work along side the Republicans, in fact the leader of the House is one of those folks. (They also tried to pass a secession bill but failed ignomoinously-323 against and 3 in favor.) Here's an article about the noncooperation bill if you wish to peruse it:: https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2022/06/21/bill-headed-to-sununus-desk-would-stop-state-cooperation-with-federal-firearms-laws/
Thanks for the link. Nice to know we have crazies so close to home (in Massachusetts). The NH bill as described in this article seems to fit the definition of seditious conspiracy as well as the Texas GOP platform.
One minor, nitpicking point: I wouldn't call these people "folks". Folks are grandparents in their rocking chairs. The word "people" is also questionable in this situation; some other words I might apply are probably not appropriate in a public forum.
Repurpose the hangman’s noose which was prepared for Pence.
I don't think this group should want to continue the hate we are hoping to remove in America. Please don't 'repurpose the hangman's noose" for anyone. Let's allow the justice system to do it's job.
Where is the protection for them? Why are we not assigning security for these people? Hugs don’t cut it!
👍🏼
Here's an opportunity for the Democrats to take the lead; start a nation-wide network of security teams for each election official and poll worker who has been threatened by the Republicans.
That might take agreement by Republican-led legislators, which will not happen. They actively want the current system to fail and do not care who gets hurt in the process.
I agree Jeff. One would think we already pay for local, state and federal law enforcement. I guess the National Guard could be used just like in a third world country.
SOOOOO many opportunites for Democracts to take the lead, but they just don't do it!!
WHY NOT? WHY NOT? WHY NOT?
Question everyone would like answered .
It's the right thing to do, but "Democrats" and "lead" in the same sentence is a very shaky concept right now.
Protection provided for Supreme Court and not for abortion clinics.
This from an AP report. By 3:37 p.m., the Pentagon sent its own security forces to guard the homes of defense leaders. No troops had yet reached the Capitol.
It would be another hour before the first contingent of 155 Guard members were at the Capitol. Dressed in riot gear, they began arriving at 5:20 p.m.
They started moving out the rioters, but there were few, if any, arrests. by police.
The above are examples of why faith in government is low.
I didn't know that the Pentagon had sent security forces to protect the homes of defense leaders.
Will the J6 Committee turns its fearsome eye to why the response was glacially slow to protect the Capitol? More specifically, forcing Defense Department leaders to testify?
I haven't heard the failure to protect the Capital discussed as a topic of one of the J6 Committee hearings...yet. But it would be shocking if it isn't examined in one of the future hearings. The Committee is well aware of the outrageous, frankly unbelievable, confluence of failures that left the Capital building and Congressional members lacking adequate protection on that important day. Such a huge hole in their protection, left by the failure of multiple organizations, allowing the crazed, Trump fascist army to invade the Capital, is WAY too suspicious to be bypassed by the J6 Committee. The Senate report "Examining the Capital Attack -- A Review of the Security, Planning and Response Failures on January 6" leaves the door wide open for detailed, necessary explanations. It would be incredible if the so far spectacularly successful and brilliant J6 Committee ignored this critical topic. Spoiler Alert: Donald "John Wilkes Booth" Trump and his immoral, deranged lackeys will probably play a lead role.
https://www.rules.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Jan%206%20HSGAC%20Rules%20Report.pdf
Michael here is the link to the AP article. Everyone should read.
https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-army-racial-injustice-riots-only-on-ap-480e95d9d075a0a946e837c3156cdcb9
Elaine, Sally. et al I am with you. Our justice system protects too many who harm and disrupt the lives of citizens who choose to participate in what is supposed to be a legal and fair voting system.
Even more disturbing is that decent, responsible, hardworking citizen servants are living in fear in their own homes, due to messages sent to them through multiple devices or having their homes physically invaded by violent strangers.
"Hugs don't cut it!"
Speaking of "low-level drug dealer," one cannot get any lower than tRump, and Giuliani, and those creeps who entered Shaye's grandmother's house.
I hope some in the mob can be identified and brought to justice.
In all due respect to you, good luck with that!
One upping Michael Corleone
I apologize. On re-reading Heather's Letter, she did indeed mention the grandmother, just not the harrowing details.
They are not patriots they are mobsters working for their mob boss!
Exactly, Sharon!
Wow.
Jeff, I apologize to you for my harsh response to you with regard to your opinion of the NY Times and WAPO. If you would like to know why was so protective of the two newspapers, I would be glad to explain my concern with reference to the free-press. However, I might defend my comment, I went overboard and was rude. I hope that you will forgive me and that we may carry on as subscriber friends. Salud.
No worries, Fern, but I thank you for your apology.
I, myself, get a little carried away when reading what's on the internet these days... you'd have to be crazy not to.
Jeff, I am relieved and happy that you'll take me back. Thank you. 🌿
And people continue to order pizzas to go to her grandmother's home that she was supposed to pay for.
It would seem obvious that these fine women (Moss and Freeman) have the basis for a big time law suit. Defamation, loss of income, loss of personal safety all come to mind.
“ For the first time ever, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award will honor five individuals — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Arizona Representative Russell “Rusty” Bowers, and Wandrea’ ArShaye Moss — each for their courage to protect and defend democracy in the United States and abroad.”
https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award
Also lawsuits: Freeman and Moss vs. OAN & Gateway Pundit
https://www.law4truth.org/
Thanks, Kathy, for providing link to Profiles in Courage award ceremony, very moving!
Wonderful! Both the JFK awards and the lawsuits already in progress. Thank you for posting.
Very inspiring speeches at the Profiles in Courage ceremony by all. Thank you!
Money isn't everything. They will never forget the prolonged harassment and disruption of their lives.
So true. Money doesn't buy happiness. But they certainly deserve a boat load of cash to buy a better life. And maybe a little legal vindication would be helpful as well.
See Sandy Lewis's post from the other day! If you can write a book you can make money. I read Woodward's book when it came out. He should have stood up for the USA when he knew what was going on....he waited until he could make $s selling his book!
Money will not make them feel safe again. And, I imagine after their testimony they will experience more harassment and threats.
With money they could move out of Georgia--perhaps to our state. Just a thought.
Some folks are on it: https://www.11alive.com/amp/article/news/politics/elections/oan-dismissed-election-workers-suit-settlement-georgia-ruby-freeman-wandrea-moss/85-ef93fe82-577b-4c92-b15d-1b7825f67025
Thank you for this link. I’m so glad they are seeking their own vindication and justice through legal means. Ruby and Shaye are great roll models.
Who do you think they are they supposed to sue? Giuliani and Meadows? ТЯцм₽? The ever-changing line-up of anonymous locals who followed their lead?
That's a scary thought; that after so much suffering Moss and Freeman should be relegated to the legal version of more suffering.
I'd start at the top. TFG and Rudy are the obvious ones.
They sued OAN and Giuliani. OAN settled, suit against Giuliani continues. https://www.11alive.com/amp/article/news/politics/elections/oan-dismissed-election-workers-suit-settlement-georgia-ruby-freeman-wandrea-moss/85-ef93fe82-577b-4c92-b15d-1b7825f67025
I hear Jared and Ivanka have 2billion650million dollars!!
Slander AND libel come to mind...and it continues even today.
The lawsuit is a defamation case.
Absolutely! This is the KKK 2.0. Political wing.
Definitely. They have sued Giuliani and One America News for defamation. Another suit against Gateway Pundit has been settled.
100%! I then immediately thought of all the BS lawsuits Trump has filed.
Maybe Michael Cohen will take their case pro bono!!!!
Yes,
And, guess what, the NY Times is running multiple editorials about how we prove Trump had "intent" to commit a crime.
Since when has anyone EVER considered intent after a crime has been committed? IF a crime has been committed, then, a black man so accused is shoveled off to prison.
So, now? If a white man breaks the law even the NY Times comes up with fake stuff like proving "intent" so Trump can get off. No wonder Trump was born and raised in NY.
If there was a crime, and, there was, then, that's it. Intent is irrelevant. Arrest, try, convict and prison.
Same as for any black man.
Intent has been proven repeatedly, by TFG’s own words. It’s time to prosecute, regardless of Republican push back. And yes, it will be ugly, but, it’s necessary.
The intent is being proven by the evidence which is being laid out thoroughly and clearly in full view. Merrick Garland has said he's watching. The rule of law is on the brink. Judge Luttig said it, slowly, clearly and carefully: Trump is a clear and present danger.
Anne-Louise,
Why is intent relevant at all?
If I shoot my neighbor in front of my whole neighborhood, why must anyone prove I "intended" to shoot them?
Why is it not enough that my neighbor is dead and everyone saw me do it?
Intent where a crime has been committed is simply irrelevant.
Ah! but that's simple logic. Remember what the master said, about shooting someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue?
Intent is the difference between second degree murder and manslaughter.
Merrick Garland was in Ukraine promising to prosecute war crimes. Hello—major crimes here, Merrick.
Poor optics, poor timing, and is he interviewing for his next job?
Correct on all.
When I sat on a Jury for a murder trial, the judge informed us explicitly that 'intent' should not be considered, only the facts of the case as presented.
Yes, those words shine a spotlight on the full ugliness of Trump.
And his co-conspirators and those who terrorize election workers, elected officials and their families and staff. They are all very ugly. (Are they actually Americans??). The Ugly Americans who tried to overthrow their own country with lies, deceit and even murder and maiming.
Same here. Those were the words I found myself repeating to a friend that had not watched. Their lives were changed forever from this, and just because they felt so strongly about their duty to the U.S. and it's elections. This is a trauma that will never go away.
Mark my words. Lady Ruby will have a place in history. Just like we read of Rosa Parks.
She was powerful. And she is my grandma, yours, and everyone who has ever had a strong, beautiful grandma. Or not.
Salud, Rowshan.
Salud, Christine! Yes, she was powerful, but didn’t deserve what she was put through.
None of us do, Rowshan. Her words were powerful. And she reached many people. I am very glad the committee chose to show her deposition. It is pushing back against lies with truth that restore some semblance of balance. What she said united many people in compassion.
Light!
Why didn’t the FBI provide protection for her in her own home! Seems like a double standard at work here!
We thought that too!
I completely agree Michael. Very moving testimony. And I was also proud of the witnesses, and not only disgusted by what Trump and his evil clowns did to these honest hard working civil servants, but embarrassed that this could have ever happened to them. And if anything comes out of this, it will be that these dedicated people of integrity will not have to risk their lives telling the truth again
They are due financial compensation for this seditious treachery against them and our sacred elections. They must pay for all the mental and physical terror inflicted as well as financial compensation for loss of jobs and income. Take it right out of each seditious official's bank accounts...here and overseas.
The immense numbers who do not support swift justice have been taught to believe what their "leaders" tell them to believe period. That happens to include labeling evidence of any kind as maleficent political propaganda. "COVID is made in Chinese labs." "Climate change is a fabrication." "Critical thinking is a threat." "Biden caused gas prices to rise." "Social programs bankrupted America." "America has the world's best medical care system." It's quite easy to see how this same crowd who believes such absurdities and has no capacity to question them will be impervious to being persuaded by today's hearings. They will simply label all of the testimony as orchestrated lies.
I don’t paint democrats, despite plenty of flaws, with the same tar brush as republicans, who have made a mockery of patriotism, Christianity, public service, and America, itself.
Not to dishonor Bowers but his statements re the Constitution being a devined document made me cringe, especially on the same day SCOTUS ruled Maine must give religious private schools tax dollars. If I were a Mainer, I'd be advocating that NO taxes go to private schools and invest all those dollars into public education. I don't know about Maine but elsewhere in the country, notably Alabama, private schools--especially religious ones--were just another means to keep schools desegregated.
We’re fortunate that voters showed up for the Blue team in our past couple of elections here in Maine. “The state will review the decision and its effects on the tuition program, said Lindsay Crete, a spokesperson for Gov. Janet Mills. But she noted that the Democratic governor had signed a bill into law last year ensuring that religious schools do not discriminate against employees or students based on gender identity.
That was a bid to insulate public funding from the schools at the center of the lawsuit, Bangor Christian Schools and Temple Academy in Waterville. Both schools said while arguing the lawsuit that they would not change policies to accept state funding. They do not hire gay or transgender teachers and would not admit students who identify that way.
Attorney General Aaron Frey, a Democrat, was more strident, saying he intends to work with Mills’ office and the Legislature to “address” the court’s decision in state law.
“While parents have the right to send their children to such schools, it is disturbing that the Supreme Court found that parents also have the right to force the public to pay for an education that is fundamentally at odds with values we hold dear,” he said in a statement.”
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2022/06/22/politics/maine-ruling-religion-role-in-public-joam40zk0w/
To me, when Bowers and other witnesses bring their religious belief into their testimony, they are showing themselves as trustworthy to the skeptics who share their religious beliefs, possibly persuadable people who have trusted Trump so far.
Here in NH, the legislature wrote & passed a school voucher bill then the governor gladly signed it. It diverts public education monies to private and religious schools and home schoolers. There's little if any monitoring of how those monies will be spent, what the content is, or whether the instructors are even board certified teachers-it's not required. For Profit companies are participating. The school voucher program is already 5000 % over budget in less than a year. After they did that, they cut public education funds even more! The main problem is that the public schools are primarily funded by property taxes & have been underfunded for decades, even after the NH Supreme Court mandated changes 20 years ago.
KellyR - I’m a believer and agree with you.
❤️
Lawrence O'Donnell said recently that TFG had everyone around him breaking their Oaths of Office for 4 years. He couldn't understand why others in the States wouldn't do the same.
It's been a struggle to raise my head above the smoke of January 6, the tsunami of lies from Republicans and the complacency of United States citizens to be able to feel proud to be an American. Yesterday's January 6 hearing was a shining moment for Democracy. I feel hope again.
Barbara,
I stopped being proud to be American when an American helicopter dipped down to get a close look at a group of 12 year old boys gathering wood outside their village in Afghanistan......
then......rose up in the air, pulled the .50 caliber machinegun to the door and killed all but one of the villages boys. One boy was crushed by a tree clipped by a bullet and survived to tell what happened.
Since then, I know who we are.
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/world/asia/03afghan.html
In their mouths, "patriotism" is a meaningless word. What on earth do they think "patriotism" is?
they think patriotism is anything that makes them more money, keeps them in power and allows them, their families and associates to parade their brand of Christianity around the town square waving the flag
And maintains the white privileged. male caste system.
Patriotism is white Christian paternalism with white men in charge. Benevolent dictator focused on security for the favored.
You can forget the benevolent part. Trumps a thug, always has been, he’ll never change, all the more why he is “a clear and present danger”!
I agree, Donna. I hate the way the R's misuse theword patriotism as well as many others -- family values, freedom, faith, accusing Dems of facism, and more.
“Patriotism” is putting certain U.S. citizens ahead of others. “Patriotism” means more power and authority for “whites,” “Christians,” and societal reactionaries, and reducing-eliminating power for “immigrants” and African-Americans and Native Americans and anyone who isn’t heterosexual.
Great question, Anne-Louise.
Let them, Ed. They can say what they want, but all that they did is in plain sight this time. Not hidden in “lists of names” whatever Guiliani and his goons said to anyone. Shameful traitors. Lock them ALL up!
Why give them a cushy life in prison? Recinde their citizenship and kick them out of the country.
they need to be sentenced to the most dangerous, rat-infested prisons we have
Dark, damp dungeons full of rats and snakes!
who would ever want these sleaze bags? Let them rot in jail. cushy life, I don’t think so.
Ed, out of all the powerful & moving testimony we heard yesterday, one response by Gabriel Sterling stuck w me as it hits at the (actual) heart of why evidence doesn’t matter to so many.
When Rep. Schiff asked him about how to combat misinformation when t has such a large bully pulpit, Sterling’s reply said it all. He said “the problem you have is you’re getting to people’s hearts.”
Sterling went on w a specific experience he had while walking an attorney through all the evidence:
“This wasn't true. Ok, I get that. This wasn't true. Ok, I get that. This wasn't — five or six things. But at the end he goes, I just know in my heart they cheated. That's the stan [sic] -- and so once you get past the heart, the facts don't matter as much.”
Chilling, & very close to the words used by the NM county commissioner who refused to certify the election, even after the NMSC ordered him to. It seems nothing will change the hearts of too many in this crazy cult that holds sway over too many.
Yes--case in point, and the frightening thing is the numbers. I'm at a conference now in Denver working to show that the higher order thinking stages require not just knowledge and skills but knowing yourself and how we get in our own way. After that, the next higher levels include empathy for others along with expertise. Mostly, higher education is growing students in knowledge and skills with content but not growing them as people to understand themselves.
I found the running commentaries beside the video surprisingly encouraging. There were very few who did not see what they were looking at, and fell back ineptly on things like "Schiff is lying."
I had a hard time understanding the "suitcase of ballots" video. It was clarified to me later (I forget from whom and where) that there is a particular box that is used to store the ballots not yet counted, and that the video showed it was the appropriate box.
It was a special “box,” not a suitcase, that could be secured. In TN paper ballots, after being scanned, fall into a locked cabinet. After the polls close, the locked cabinet is unlocked and the bag containing the ballots locked and secured with a numbered zip tie and delivered to the Election Commission office. I would guess every state has something similar.
That's the way it is in Maryland, I can say as an election judge for 14 years.
Thanks, Sandra. If you're still at it, I hope you haven't run up against any trouble.
Thanks for this explanation, MLM. I saw that video early on and couldn't figure out what they were talking about that was fraudulent. I suspect that Rudy and his friends didn't know what they were looking at either, but it didn't matter as they already made up their minds what tale they were going to spin.
If the media had widely educated the public about these standard election procedures instead of focusing on claims like the suitcase example, we would be much better off. Until these hearings I did not know any details regarding the “suitcase of ballots” debunking. It could have been done long ago.
In Florida, there is a requirement that ballots be transported in boxes that are secured from the polls on election night to the SOE by two people of different parties, Republican & Democrat.
That sounds pretty solid, Kelly.
Let's not forget, the war in Ukraine is fake.
Or that the rioters on January 6 were Antifa.
Ed,
You are correct. The people who live inside of "belief space" are fully insulated from reality by a combination of their own choices and clever lies from Fox and Limbaugh.
But, America has always been easily swayed by lies and fakery. Remember Salem and a bunch of teenage girls burned at the stake by the "respectable" townspeople?
No facebook or twitter was needed to point to a young woman and have her burned alive based on a lie.
Before Republicans and Democrats manipulating the people, there were religions promoting belief in witches, running inquisitions, and invoking explanations of real world phenomena by crediting them to gods and a spirit world. Salem citizens believed in witches. They brought those beliefs imparted by religions into their social order. Right-wing religion of today is a short step away from such profoundly ugliness imparted by irrational belief systems devoid of empathy.
Ed,
excellent insight and analysis. thank you.
Ed, THIS is So TRUE, but IMMENSELY SAD!!!
You hit the nail on the head!!!😥
So well said, especially your last paragraph.
It feels that hearing by hearing the 1/6 Committee is piling heavier and heavier on the roof of the House of Trump. One can hear the creaking of the timbers as they attempt to sustain the house and cracking sounds as the roof groans in protest. I felt that image all through yesterday’s testimony.
Surely at some point the weight is going to be too much for even those most hardened uncooperative witnesses and Fox charlatans. Surely the DOJ is going to be embarrassed into moving forward with celerity to demolish this whole rotten structure.
I saw American nobility in those witnesses last night. They represented your country at its very finest - stubbornly idealistic, immune to pressure of the foulest sort despite the pain it brought down on them, in the best sense of the word “righteous” people.
It must have astounded Trump to run into such brick walls after four years of dealing with servile toadies.
Kudos, kudos, kudos to this House Committee. They have done extraordinary, historic work. Jamie Raskin promised that the hearings would “bring the house down”. He was not referring to Trump’s house of horrors, but he might well have been.
I think we are going to hear much, much more this summer.
Yes, America IS marching toward a cliff at breakneck speed. I heard a commentator on CNN recently saying that to prosecute Trump, we would need to know his "intent" and that is a hard thing to prove in court. Well, all of this testimony and all of these witnesses, we can pretty much know that his intent was not benign. Members of his own party coming forward to say they knew that he knew-he even said so many times-that he had lost the election. His intent was to incite his murderous mob to reign down violence and mayhem on our nation's Capitol. His intent was to try to nullify my legally cast ballot and those of millions of others. To me ,this is a no-brainer. The evidence is just too damning this time to let this be pushed under the rug again. While I want complete justice for these heinous acts, the least that could be done is this-the Senate needs to invoke the 14th Amendment to disqualify him from ever running for office again.
I don't know if it's just California but, when I served on the jury for a murder trial, the judge warned jurors that we weren't to consider intent, only the evidence presented by prosecution and defense.
"America hasn't just lost its way. It's marching toward a cliff"....
Are we a nation of lemmings? Are there leaders among us to turn the rest of us away from the cliff?
Heather, you are such a leader. Thank you
I think the witnesses aquited themselves quite well. Honorable people doing honorable things for which I can find no flaws in their reasons expressed. Thanks each of you for you public service and standing up for our democracy when it mattered.
We missed the first part of the hearing, but did hear the last part by the state officials and then the heart rending testimony by the two election workers. Yes, this is how it works. The top of the pile of poop lets the thugs do their dirty work while spreading lies and pressuring people with not too subtle threats and then inspiring the thugs to target them and their families. Ugly beyond words. I made up my mind after hearing all this, that I was not going to let the first support for death star pass. Sure enough my former brother-in-law, expressed his support for mafia don. I posted just one sentence, that death star is a criminal and a traitor. That doesn't begin to cover it, but...I didn't have time to do more. Then came the news that the Stench Court has ruled that taxpayers must now pay for the teaching of religious hatred at private religious schools. Where does it look like we are heading....to a theocratic autocracy run by the super rich with the brown shirt thugs doing the dirty work. And finally, I hope Ron Johnson is not reelected.....gosh, it must have been an intern...I don't know anything about it. The witnesses today had so much courage and then we have people like Johnson demonstrating how unfit they are for public office.
Just today, the WaPo is reporting that members of the J6 Committee have been given a security detail due to increasing threats on their safety. https://wapo.st/39KHp8Y
🥺😪
Not surprised. All the thugs are busy.
I think we should start a movement to change the name from "MAGA" to "gullible". If every time someone repeated one of Trumps lies they got called gullible, maybe some sense of reality would start to sink in.
It's pretty to think so. I silently call them AS***ES. What amazes me is that the people I know who support TFG are diverse, and span my poor white trash relatives, my working lower class relatives, and my well educated mixed racial friends. I have a friend who volunteers full time in the Latinx community to talk to people about the consequences of supporting these MAGA people and to substantiate that MAGA will use them, crumple them up and throw them away like so many pieces of trash. It boggles my mind.
Love the idea. Mini bumper sticker we plop on their backs as we congratulate them for their passionate idiocy. Sorta like "bless you for your good heart" ... and empty mind.
Ex-so-called-president Trump is a thug. The gangs that have harassed election workers and others in his name stop just short of the Nazi Brown Shirts prior to WW II; give them uniforms and they would be indistinguishable. Perhaps the hearings will "penetrate the bubble" to some extent, but, as I and others have said in this forum (and to my congressional representative), the Democrats should be mounting a major PR campaign to drive home to the public at large what is being exhibited in the hearings. Politics Girl (I think that's what she's called), at the link given by someone here yesterday, showed the frustration with the lack of Democratic messaging.
Dems, where are you?
Probably afraid of being targeted by these thugs — and putting their families in danger.
Speaking of manipulated citizens: Tom Nichols, contributing writer for the The Atlantic, has an intriguing piece about the psychology of MAGA zealots and their penchant for abuse and violence. I'm not sure his take applies to all of them because some have an innate proclivity to hate and mistreat others or it stems from their upbringing. But it's worth a read.
"No one who truly believes they are right threatens to hurt anyone for expressing a contrary view. The snarling threat of violence never comes from people who calmly believe they are in the right. It is always the instant resort of the bully who feels the hot flush of shame rising in the cheeks and the cold rock of fear dropping in the pit of the stomach."
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/06/what-are-trump-supporters-so-afraid-of/661346/
Michael Bales - I read it at your suggestion - it was excellent. I posted it on my FB page. I also highlighted the quote you did. I dealt with bullies as a child. Never again. I may be small in stature and getting up there in age, but age imparts a modicum of fearlessness.
Age is a great equalizer, dswanat!
I would agree because so many of these people are resentful of those who have more education, more money, nice things, and respect for accomplishments. Or at the top they are sociopaths like death star who feel that they are entitled to whatever they want. Those like mafia don are soulless
Thanks for the link, Michael! Love that quotation!
....and disgusted by those Republican Senators and Representatives who have yet to speak out against TFG. All I could hear in my head, addressed to the supposed Republican "leaders" is: "Have you no shame? " Haven't seen anyone new speak out. I was moved to tears by yesterday's testimony.
We could certainly use another Joseph Welch to combat the Republican party's McCarthyism through their outright bullying of upstanding Americans.... "At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"
Indeed that is what George Conway (a conservtive Republican, even) said on CNN after the hearings -- that yesterday's testimony seemed to him like the "have you no decency" moment.
I missed that as I watched on CSPAN-3. I would have appreciated that comment...
...With the determination of a horde of lemmings.
Being pushed off a cliff ...
Where is Shakespeare? There’s a Tragedy to be written
Turn off the commentary. You will see and hear the tragedy. Act V tomorrow.
The image of the cowardly Wisconsin Senator Johnson, running away from owning his actions to undermine the Constitution he swore to protect and defend, is an apt metaphor for the entire Republican Party trying to duck and weave away from what it has collectively, energetically, done to destroy American democracy.
I am hoping I live long enough to see American democracy destroy the current version of the Republican Party.
Johnson’s fate will be in the hands of Wisconsin voters. Gerrymandering won’t save him. Support his opponent!!
Here's to whoever wins Wisconsin's Primary in August to run against Ron Johnson!
yeah but he was on the phone....hahaha a moment of levity !
I am hoping the same. I think America is genetically predisposed to the kind of cancer that is currently ravaging the country. It needs some very invasive treatment in order to get a clean bill of health. One part of that treatment, once the J6 Congressional Hearings are over, is the prosecution of all the parties that were involved, from top to bottom, in what was clearly a deliberate attempt to overthrow our government. The other part of the treatment is much greater participation in the democratic process by Americans who actually believe in democracy and rule of law. I am quite sure there are more of us in that camp than those who seem to be bent on destroying democracy. I think several election cycles of us making such a statement would quiet down the madding crowd enough that would could get back to a rational debate about how to move this country forward. Unfortunately, it won't only be about voting, although that's a fundamental part of it. It will be also about wholeheartedly supporting people who are leading the way on fighting for voter rights and against voter suppression.
Johnson told reporters last night that he knew nothing about these slates, that it was an intern who must have done it and wouldn't investigate this any further because there is no story here.
"Johnson told reporters last night that he knew nothing about these slates, that it was an intern who must have done it and wouldn't investigate this any further because there is no story here."
As he spoke his nose got longer and longer......
Throw another American under the bus. Seems to be the solution applied by the GOP. Say/do whatever is necessary to deflect responsibility. And ask for more money.
And yet he would like a pardon — just in case
When I think of the punishment Lardo Lardass deserves for his crimes, it comes down to "gettin' all medieval on yo ass" (as per "Pulp Fiction") and in the specific details has to be filed under "If my thought dreams could be seen/They'd probably put my head in a guillotine..."
There is nothing too bad or too extended could happen to him.
That said, I am really glad to know a guy like Rusty Bowers still exists. I'm certain I could disagree with him on any number of policy questions, but on the Important Questions, he's someone to hold up as an inspiration. The same for Raffensperger.
And when I think of the story of Lady Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shay Moss, I want to multiply Lardo's punishment by 1,000x.
Quantum ditto, TC ...!!
Punishment would be the squalid prisons so many Americans suffer in. Any would do. He can live out his days to repent eating nutraloaf, enduring constant noise, threats, and humiliation. We do this to punish poor people who break the law
We have a shithole of a state prison here in Reidsville GA that will do just fine and it’s where he will likely end up if he’s convicted in Atlanta, it’s the last prison in this state that you would ever want to spend time in, it’s my hope that they are welding his despicable name onto a cell door there as I write this, if he was to take his last breath in there it would barely be a down payment on what he owes for the harm he has done throughout his life.
May I please please be selected to weld his cell door shut?
Guantanamo has room…which would be delicious irony
Without air conditioning like prisons here in Florida. But, likely he’ll end up in Club Fed instead.
For the sake of our democracy and the rights of ALL We the People, it must happen. Punishment.
I still cannot shake why Rusty Bowers, at the time, did not come forward and share this seditious behavior. He was already being harassed and terrorized. Perhaps he did share it.
I would like to see an entire hearing where every one of the witnesses comes in to explain why they waited until now to speak up. I don't mean that in a derogatory manner, but what level of threat was imposed on them by the GOP to stay silent.
Bowers has been outspoken about his support for AZ election, although maybe that doesn’t get picked up by national media. He has also been very busy trying to head off the craziness of proposed legislation here. If not for him……..
Bowers, yes, even through constant threats. I don't fault them for not. Frankly, I doubt I would if I had someone threatening me 24/7. I would like to know the root of the threats. I think just that aspect deserves a separate investigation.
Because he was intimidated and bullied and overwhelmed with anticipated grief of his terminally I’ll daughter
He did.
This, from Robert Hubbell today:
At Tuesday’s hearing of the January 6th Committee, Rusty Bowers earned the admiration of a grateful nation for his principled refusal to surrender to Trump’s demands to overturn the 2020 election. On Wednesday, Bowers revealed that his principles and “faith” will not prevent him from voting for Trump in 2024. According to Bowers, he will vote for Trump because
"what he did the first time, before COVID, was so good for the country. In my view it was great."
Of course, Bowers skips over the part where Trump incited a violent insurrection to overturn two centuries of constitutional rule in America. That pesky fact is apparently less important to Bowers than what Trump did in his first term as president before losing the November election.
Bowers is apparently referring to Trump’s signature legislative achievement—reducing the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1
That tax cut resulted in a loss of revenue that propelled the budget deficit to near-record levels ($1 trillion) before the Covid stimulus packages. Setting aside the efforts of Bush and Obama to save the economy from collapse in the Great Recession of 2008, Trump owns the largest deficit of any US president.
Other Trump achievements include:
* Legislation ending an Obama-era regulation that prevented coal-mining companies from dumping debris and waste into nearby streams;
* Legislation ending financial disclosure requirements for energy firms;
* Legislation repealing an Obama-era regulation requiring internet service providers to seek customers’ consent before sharing private data;
* Legislation prohibiting the Department of Education from adopting the Common Core curriculum (which was created by agreement among the states, not the federal government);
* Imposing protectionist tariffs on China that were paid for by US consumers; and
* Pardoning Jared Kushner’s father (Charles Kushner), Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Steve Bannon, Paul Manafort, George Papadopoulos, and Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
https://www.startribune.com/bills-passed-by-congress-and-signed-by-the-president-so-far-this-year/432015273/
And let’s not forget the ban on travel from Muslim countries, separating children from parents at the border, and wasting billions of taxpayer dollars on a “wall to nowhere.”
Ah, yes, Rusty Bowers! Those were the “good old days” when government favored business over the people’s interest in privacy, the environment, education, and financial transparency, and when the president’s “cronies” received a “Get Out of Jail Free” card!
As discussed in The Atlantic’s article, The Comment That Reveals the Depths of the Republican Party’s Moral Collapse, Bowers is not the only allegedly “principled” Republican who has opposed Trump in the past but who is now happy to vote for Trump in 2024. Susan Collins? Yup! Brad Raffensperger? Of course! Mitch McConnell? Need you ask? Bill Barr? Faster than you can say, “Vladimir Putin”!
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/06/rusty-bowers-and-republican-trump-2024-conundrum/661352/
The fact that “principled” Republicans can overlook the stray coup and occasional insurrection so long as businesses receive tax cuts is worrisome, to say the least. It highlights the fact that there is no substitute for putting Trump behind bars for the rest of his life. If we don’t, faux patriots like Rusty Bowers will campaign for Trump in 2024 without regard to the threat he poses to our democracy.
Excellent - he outdid what I wrote at That's Another Fine Mess.
Good to have your voices out there, TC - so many of us just don't have a clue - not to suggest that I do ....
Amen. And, my comment was inspired by the devil residing in my frontal lobe.
Hear, hear!
Agree 1000%, TC.
My thoughts exactly, TC!
As extraordinary a story as is being told, individuals are responding precisely as you might expect them to. tfg continues to spout the same garbage he always has, matching fact with fiction, blow for blow. The conspirators deny, deny, deny that they were complicit, instead blaming low level staff members in their offices and vague awareness that "something" had been afoot. The media mouthpieces apply the same fantasy factory to the investigation that they did to the electoral process. Other entities say "we thought we were only assisting" another entity like the orange emperor's presidential campaign office. Dodge and weave, hide behind hastily erected barriers such as "proxy executive privilege", ignorance of what was going on within one's own offices, refusal to accept legitimacy of the investigating committee, the legitimacy of a subpoena, take the 5th, deflect accountability under oath, hope that cooperation yields indemnity, request preemptive pardons, scrub, scrub, rinse, repeat. These are not imaginative responses. I fully expect to hear that some of these individuals ultimately decamp to places in the world without extradition treaties as the judicial noose begins to tighten some months from now. The story is extraordinary in exposing the scope and intensity of the plot, right up to and including the CEO of the government. And, even in it's blatant criminality, it represents the same hubris demonstrated by His Royal Orangeness over decades in the business sector, in Hollywood and on the New York tabloid pages. You truly get what you pay for; hire a criminal, get criminal behavior. I think, ultimately, we're going to look back on all of this and wonder, how could we have been collectively so deluded as to think that this blustering blowhard was going to have a net-positive effect on our country in spite of his personal behavior and the history of his public conduct. We didn't elect a high class crook; we installed an "enforcer", a thug, a bully, a two-bit petty thief and grifter where we needed an honest and experienced executive.
We mistook hubris for charisma, pathological lying for political ideology, nepotism for executive privilege, narcissism for any shred of altruistic principle. It doesn't matter that more voted for someone else than for him. What matters is that there are far more eligible voters who stayed home in addition to those who showed up to vote against him. The silent, disinterested, complacent, cynical, disheartened and defeated non-voters paved his way into office. That is where our collective accountability lies. We've been served the bitter fruit of indulgent complacency and now we're choking on the aftertaste of having been compelled to swallow what was on our plates.
We can't even hope that his previously converted acolytes will be deterred by this detailed expose. All we can hope is that enough light has been shed in the dark corners of our political landscape that an additional mass of slumbering citizens will awaken and join the rest of us at the polls who can distinguish fact from fantasy amongst the candidates.
Bowers: “I don’t want to win by cheating.” How refreshing to hear this from a Republican, even one who continues to idolize Reagan as a beacon of democracy. How many other Republicans out there have a functioning conscience?
Liz Cheney.
And Kinzinger.
Democracy is a live thing. It is a prey animal for mafia. We must always be on guard.
word!
Tfg never won the popular vote. HRC out did him by three million votes. Biden by 8 million or so. Don’t despair. We must fight until the end….
This:
"We've been served the bitter fruit of indulgent complacency and now we're choking on the aftertaste of having been compelled to swallow what was on our plates."
While this substack's shared community brings gathering strength, I sometimes worry we fail to appreciate when our protestations center on what's on our plates, how little resonates with disaffected voters. Our deeds not our words will bring them back as participating voters. Are we monitoring the local government meetings, like the US Army vet in Uvalde? Are we serving as poll workers like the brave citizens in Georgia who know disenfranchisement is always on the table? [By the way, all are women.] Are we perceived as committed footsoldiers for the imperfect and unsteady process that is democracy, or just daily lamenters?
As Frederick Douglass famously said, God didn't start answering my prayers until I got up off my knees and started marching (paraphrasing).
I don’t lament. I pass the “ammunition” of truth!
Nathan, I am in awe of how astutely you have captured the deep and pervasive corruption that has settled upon the republic. Still, I dare say too much is at stake for our spirits to flag.
Thank you for speaking my mind in such dazzling prose
I see the truth “seeping” in thanks to the excellent bipartisan work of the J6 committee. As acknowledged by the carnival barkers themselves, keeping the carnival from distorting the serious truthful testimony being presented has made it much more credible and easier to listen to. Truth is spreading. More people are tuning in. Many people are shocked. We only need a strong majority and adherence to the truth and the rule of law. In a democracy, justice is slow and grinding, but the truth shall keep us free. So grateful and hopeful for our public servants committed to truth.
Very well said Nathan
Playing their game. Creating chaos as never seen before. Within the Republican Party. Trump and his ilk are so crafty at creating chaos. However, their response to it thrown back at them is to scurry like rats on a sinking ship.
That’s the thing about lies. Initially will advance your agenda only to run the risk of your lie becoming a deadly weapon against your agenda.
I can hear the grenades going off.
Salud, Nathan. 🗽
Please don’t say “we!” I feel I have been fighting in sludge since his first public rally. I even emailed CNN that day to ask why they had given so much time and attention to him at that time.They are as guilty as FOX for the rapid rise of the monster. Yesterday’s witnesses left me in tears and then rants. We know T is sick in the head, but what explains Guiliani’s off the charts participation in cruel, fictitious productions?
Thank you for this eloquent statement.
Despicable is the only word I have. If this is not High Crimes, I don't know what is. To my conservative friends & family who still support Trump and his lie. Wake the F,,,, up. NOW.
America- wake the fuck up.
This is what Gavin Newsom is saying.
👍🏼
Rupert hasn’t told them.
Rupert should be on trial. That sleazy Barnum and Bailey show ...
Actually Fox "News" needs to taken to task for their part in this...especially show "hosts" who spew false information leading to insurrection and violence against a lawful proceeding. That all goes way beyond Freedom of the Press protections of the 1st. These folks are not legitimate media outlets. They are a propaganda machine.
👍🏼
As you say Mike, wake the f*** up. Turn off the TV. Read a real newspaper. Or better yet, read the damn Constitution. Read the oaths these hateful seditionists took. Call Ron Johnson’s office and demand he resign. Sigh. The violence perpetrated by these folks is unconscionable. Wish the DOJ would get a move on.....
I think the DOJ is allowing the House Committee to make their case before moving. There's really no rush to justice here. The best result is to have Trump & Company "pinned to the mat" in the weeks just before mid-terms, with as much chaos in the GOP as possible. I worked around politics for too long, most of them are rats who will try to survive the sinking of the Trump-tanic. The die-hard loyalists will go down with the ship or leave. Right now dis-array in the GOP is the goal....and getting Middle America/ the swing votes disturbed enough to not vote Republican.
Yes, Mike. Use their own game against them. The Jan 6th committee and witnesses, despite tremendous pressure, demonstrating “there is no winning by cheating” is doing a masterful job of this, even if it’s an unintentional result. Trump and Guliani and Eastman’s goal was to create chaos, regardless of fact. Create situation that certified electoral votes could be sent back to states.
Chaos is being created now in the Republican Party as truth pushes back against lies. Watch the rats scurry. Johnson on tape running from Manu Raju of CNN while he threw aides under the bus was classic example.
My local paper reported today poll that 58% think that Trump should be charged. Way up from what was thought before hearings.
While maintaining extraordinary decorum and process, the Jan 6th committee is getting “loud”.
So are we. https://youtu.be/Q91hydQRGyM
Unidad! 🗽
I agree, Mike. The issue gor me is that these very well organized bastards are in my blue county in suburban MN wreaking havoc with their FOIA bulltweed and practicing their intimidation tactics on our election officials including a close friend who is frankly frightened about keeping her family safe. Our US Rep, Angie Craig, is in a very tight race with a Trump supporter and the district is a focus of a lot of big money. Dangerous times. And I keep having to rein in my Irish. Tough job at the moment….
Sheila, here's a thought about your friend. Create a "Watch Group" and publicize it with a News Conference, that she is receiving threats...document them and report that friends have come together to form a watch group to be vigilant against violence. I'd also install a video security system outside. You can't let them dictate the terms...all most of them want to do is terrorize. If there's a real threat, the police or FBI should be investigating.
Sorry to hear and thanks for your perspective. Here in MD we don't have that problem in our House races. Only one district is really in play here. We're pretty Blue. As to the election official I'd consider reverse bullying. I've used it and generally it's pretty effective. Go on the offense, don't play their game. Disrupt it. ID them when you can. Call out the cowards. Do whatever you legally can to make them back away.
Read about Ginni Thomas’s new book today. She is so proud to have her husband’s law clerks sprinkled across the land. And I am appalled that they are likely to be people who will, like officials in New Mexico, refuse to certify an election. Dark and frightening days.
Either America strikes at the head -- at the raving mad gangster and acolytes, out to take down the country and its institutions -- or America, its Constitution, democracy itself, are pathetic victims of a deadly auto- immune disease.
The doctors may be hard at work on a cure, but the population -- the body politic -- is just standing around, doing nothing, moaning about symptoms that are irksome but not life-threatening, quite unable to face up to the mortal danger bearing down on us all.
Back yet again -- ad nauseam -- to words I wrote on September 10th 2001...
Our democracies... like a dog asleep in the middle of the road.
One doubts our survival instincts.
Yes, I have the uncomfortable feeling that if Trump and his fellow conspirators are not charged with crimes and convicted, then the US is irrevocably broken and our form of government is fatally flawed. It is so ironic that with all of the proof being revealed about what happened, it is the liars with no proof who continue to gain ground.
I cannot "like" what I or you have written.
I'd far rather be mistaken -- but the evidence keeps piling up, and the hydra head keeps adding to it daily, hourly, in plain sight... of all those who have eyes to see, ears to hear.
In plain sight, it’s as if they think chump is still behind the podium. And they are trying with all their might and money to make it so. Otherwise, empty the prisons of the pot dealers and make room.
Truth be told, Kathy, the US is broken and our form of government is flawed. This decade will clarify whether the dysfunction is irrevocable and fatal ... vile hatred and murderous intent fueled by unbridled egocentricity are not revolutionary - just an invitation to more of the same by another name. True revolution is a wheel ever turning toward a more enlightened world where universal love is the law in a ground of truth. So ..., what has become of our American Revolution? Time will tell ....
I think our system of government had serious problems from the start. 1) The Senate. At first glance it seems “fair” that every state gets two senators, no matter its size. Until one realizes how the Senate operates today to thwart the will of the people. The organized minority, for all intents and purposes is in control to benefit ultra wealthy donors. 2) The Electoral College. We are all seeing how this entity can be manipulated. Thomas Jefferson started manipulating it very early on when he prevailed upon men in districts in Virginia to join their votes together in a block to elect him. That was the beginning of winner take all outcomes in presidential elections. Only two states operate by districts. Maine and Nebraska, I think. The founders cobbled together what they could get passed, thinking things would be revisited in the future. How is that 240 year old system working for us today in 2022?
As Howard Zinn would say, democracy is not a spectator sport, and it appears that the liberals have become, without noticing it, a collection of spectators.
Damn, who knew that propaganda works…
lol
And NOT pardoned!
Sadly, it seems so
Please remember, Peter, 81 million of us did not stand around, doing nothing. We voted! We will vote again and with the flood lights on the criminals, I think we will succeed.
May it be so, may your confidence be borne out!
But I do want to add my conviction that voting will not be enough. Such is the sorry state of democratic institutions that their restoration must call for citizens' constant participation through free associations -- new life to civic society.
Instead, we have currently a system in which citizens are the fifth wheel of the cart and far, far greater power is vested in Washington lobbies that pull all the strings of congressmen-puppets and pay them handsomely to do their masters' will. Money and corporate power should have access to government, but now that access has been becoming so exclusive that the lobbyist cuckoos have pushed ordinary citizens out from the nest.
The process has gone so far that nefarious interests are striving to replace the federal government by direct oligarchy -- and to hell with citizens. Witness Rand Paul's recent behavior.
Democratic institutions are not stone monuments, they have life, the life we put into them. As living beings, they must be fed, watered, cared for.
Currently, the enemies of the people are doing their damnedest to turn America's institutions into well-whited sepulchers.
Too true Peter ... and, on the other side of the idealistic dream, the murderous, rapist, thieving culture at the root is reaping it's just rewards ... I believe, in the long run, truth and love will prevail ....
👍🏼
From your lips to God’s ear 🙏
Updated: from your keyboard to God’s eyes
Amen
Get quiet with me for a minute, Peter. Finally, after the hearing yesterday, I heard grenades going off within created chaos. Thinking to myself, dang it, what is going on today in Ukraine or which principle of democracy is being hurt today.
Oddly, it wasn’t either of those things. Well aimed grenades, produced through extraordinary decorum, process, truth, and bravery of American to tell the truth, are on an arc of justice through the air straight at treason, lies, and Trump and all his ilk.
I feel a tide turned yesterday. I know it’s just me, but I swear I heard a rising swell of a crowd getting loud in the background. And it was my crowd, not the one of treason.
Salud, Peter!
American institutions of democracy are "... pathetic victims of a deadly auto-immune disease." Trump is able to start and spred a dangerous infection, nut when it comes to stopping a deadly one, he's proved his incompetence.
Competence/incompetence were never important to that man. He lied, scammed and cheated, others paid. A highly competent conman, his political career has depended on an uncanny gift closely akin to Hitler's: ability to give voice to the hitherto repressed hatreds and resentments lurking in the depths of the collective unconscious. He may have lost an election, he has lost none of his stranglehold on the minds of his followers.
Fortunately, his ascendance was never as complete as Hitler's, it never extended to all the American people but split the population roughly down the middle. But he has never admitted defeat and is set on clawing back total victory from his 2020 setback -- defeat at the polls. Total victory...
His project -- imposing HIS will on the world -- still seems to be going to plan. And even if the geriatric Caligula should fail to regain power, there are younger, less accident-prone would-be Emperors waiting in the wings.
👍🏼
Where are the political organizations organizing street protests for this?!
Have they all been infected by the paralysis of propaganda, caught in the bubble of screen-time simulation of activism?!
As Howard Zinn would say, democracy is not a spectator sport, and it appears that the liberals have become, without noticing it, a collection of spectators.
The only thing I would do to her book is burn it.
I want her prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and her evil, corrupt and creepy husband impeached and indicted. Let him face the jury. Her book will give her cigarette money in prison….
The January 6th committee hearings should be played over and over in every highschool and college in America.
There is a connection between American gun violence, America's number one in the world covid19 deaths, the January 6th violence, the continuing Republican violence to break our election system in America, our unmitigated climate crisis and Putin's invasion of Ukraine that puts everyone at grave risk.
Our school children, minority communities and elderly in particular are dying at higher rates with increasing violence because of the virulence of Trump Republicans. Our economy is increasingly more stressed and failing. Our social fabric is stretching and tearing. Our political system is broken. Our domestic and international security are in question. All because Trump Republicans have bought into an alternative reality that looks like a knock off of Putin's Russia and our former Confederacy, both based on a form of white supremacy and slavery to their violent authoritarian ideas.
Indeed true. I have thought for awhile that all of the current crises facing us today, have been created by repubs, made worse by repubs and solutions obstructed by republicans. Goes way back but chump set in motion the deliberate and calculated machinations geared toward the destruction of our administrative state (articulated by Steve Bannon). And Rupert Murdoch, our minister of propaganda, signed on to woo the masses of asses that bought Reagan’s neatly scripted plans for political domination, by whatever means. Chump is the bookEND. May we hope and pray.
Well said, sir.
Drawing the lines of connection between, gun violence, Covid deaths, our disregard for the climate crisis, the Ukraine invasion, and the attempts to break our election system is well done.
I heard the rumbles and thunder of Democracy yesterday, Ally. I know it’s metaphorical, but honestly? The bolts of lightning raining down on the traitors by the Jan 6th committee is unmistakable to me.
I felt like getting on a charging horse and riding into the fray.
Instead, I’ll listen and dance to my playlist today. I’ll start with the following. And sway to this one. https://youtu.be/PEAtsgMsWmo
Can you feel it, Ally?
Salud!
I’m afraid to feel it. But yes, I do.
May they all rot in hell!
At the very least, the hearings provide irrefutable evidence that Trump and his confederates attempted by fraud, threats of violence, and actual violence to sabotage the peaceful transfer of power to his successor as chosen by means of free and fair elections. But it's what happens next that's most important. If charges are not brought, then the United States becomes just another country that is too weak to uphold its adherence to democratic norms- a performative democracy not that different from Russia. But if charges are brought, there is a genuine risk of massive civil unrest stoked by Trump's enablers in Congress and elsewhere. My hope is that the current administration does not succumb to blackmail and fear. That it stands strong. That it decides that the protection of democracy is worth the risk. That democracy in the United States is a way of life worth fighting for and, if necessary, dying for.
From Robert Hubbell today:
https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/lady-ruby-lady-liberty
"Shaye Moss and Lady Ruby have served their time on the front lines and rightly ask to be relieved. We must step into their shoes.
"If democracy endures, it will be “because people of courage did their jobs.”
Shaye Moss and Lady Ruby stood in the breach when it mattered most.
"Let’s continue their work by following in their footsteps!"
Become a Poll Worker | U.S. Election Assistance Commission
https://www.eac.gov/voters/become-poll-worker
U.S.Election Assistance Commission
State By State Compendium
Election Worker Laws & Statutes
https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/electionofficials/pollworkers/Compendium_2020.pdf
Thank you for this very clear statement of how matters stand.
Let's try to look at this through foreign eyes -- the humiliation -- and through the eyes of America' s external enemies -- gloating, triumphant.
In various interviews, I keep hearing people say it is imperative to break this fever by prosecuting lawbreakers—at every level.
The Biden administration and his appointed AG are doing EVERYTHING they can to demonstrate reasoned bipartisanship and patient execution of the rule of law. I’m pretty sure Biden and Garland wake up every morning hoping Trump has had a heart attack, but in the meantime they are still preparing an AIRTIGHT case to take Trump down. My guess is he’ll be indicted right before the self-imposed “60 day” pre-election moratorium, the one that Comey and Barr completely disregarded.
Today I cried! Listening to the horrors people had to endure just broke me. Yes, I still feel intense anger, but the sadness took front and center.
I just read a NYT article on what it would/could mean if Garland were to take the case. There are numerous reasons why this could fail and/or come back to haunt us forever. I came away feeling that an investigation/conviction are not likely.
Presently saddled with a new emotion: FEAR
Which is why Garland and the DOJ started with the "small fry" and are meticulously working their way up, and why the DOJ has requested copies of Congressional J6 Committee evidence, which Rep. Lofgren says will be delivered to them within 2 weeks. This is also when the committee's "court of public opinion" will have swayed enough powerful Republicans as well as every day Americans that tRump and his mafia must go down. I do not have faith in the New York Times anymore. I do have complete faith in the Biden administration acting on Congress's evidence. We all can do this.
Rupert is still censoring the news and spinning propaganda at warp speed. Yet, who calls his name, the one who pushed Humpty Dumpty off the wall…
I believe in the First Amendment but as Judge Luttig pointed out it can and should be abrogated in a situation when the nation needs to protect it's own interest. That situation shouldn't be lightly undertaken, but I believe we are approaching such a crisis and I'm beginning to think it would be appropriate to restrict Fox "News" license and carefully review their role in inciting this shyte-show.
Rupert Murdoch should have his purchased citizenship revoked and he should be kicked out of the country and shipped back to Australia (not that they want him, either).
Agree with most of your comment, TL, but though Rupert did initially purchase his citizenship, he is now married to an American citizen, Jerry Hall, & I would not advocate for removing marital citizenship without legitimate due process as there’s already enough bad precedent on stripping that right away from those without money or power, who need it the most.
NYTimes has become the most pessimistic and depressing paper out there. I've been reading it for decades, but the negativity and hopelessness it conveys on a daily basis is almost perverse, almost a call for us to raise our hands in the air to say we can do nothing. It's like psychological warfare on its readers. I read it less and less these days. I do not and cannot believe that these sick, immoral, really evil people on team T can't be held to account for their sedition. The case for sedition is self evident. And their utter cruelty to innocents like Shay and her family must be punished.
The NYT started going downhill when Sulzberger Jr. took over. They became like cheerleaders on immigration. Had they reported honestly on those issues, TFG probably never would have been elected, as immigration was his signature issue.
NPR is just as bad on immigration.
Feelin’ it, Mary Pat.
Salud!
I appreciate your optimism. Guess we will have to wait it out.
👍❤️👍❤️
You need to gear up to anger. You are a skilled person and therefore courageous.
When the Huns and Kossacks attack, you will be a spear chucker of some sort. Otherwise you wouldn't be on this page.
Since the 1960’s I have been fighting the fight. I look back and see the positive impact our fight had. From civil rights, to women’s rights, etc.
Never before have I felt anger as intense as I do now in this corrupt political climate. The struggle is real, and yet, with people like you by my side, I really think we can prevail.
...unless the Huns and Cossacks have moved in to the castle before you know it, leaving you to stare up at the walls.
I, too, am feeling the beginnings of fear. We are on the brink of a civil war, but it would be a war between citizens, not between states. It would be more like the Irish uprisings, but based on ideaology rather than religion (think maybe democracy vs. cultism). When you consider all of the guns out there, and who owns them, there is much to fear (especially for those living in very red states...).
Today’s hearing was incredibly moving. If you missed it, you can catch it here:
https://youtu.be/YZPBWZcr-vw
Today’s broadcast starts at about the 34 minute mark. 
Thanks for the link, Catherine.
Thank you Catherine
Except for the two poll workers from Fulton County, Georgia, who testified to the harassment and defamation from local Trump supporters, egged on by the former president himself, the principal witnesses that I saw during Tuesday's televised session were Republican state officials from Arizona and Georgia. How lonely, and afraid, those brave individuals must be feeling now. I think it was Representative Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who mentioned that there were more than thirty other potential witnesses, all Republicans, who were invited to testify before the committee, either declining to accept the committee's informal request for them to testify, or by refusing the committee's subpoena. Nonetheless, Mr. Schiff, on behalf of the January 6 committee, ably made his point that the constant pressure applied to state and local public officials charged with managing the election and accurately counting the votes cast in their respective states and electoral districts was incessant and brutal to the point where many election workers and their supervisors, some of whom had perform those tasks in elections going back decades, were now refusing to do those jobs again. It is late in the day, but we as a nation cannot afford to allow this to continue. To counter these threats, statutes and election regulations need to be strengthened to provide for severe punishment for election disruptors and those who incite them to violence.
Likewise, those who planned and participated in the preparation of fraudulent Electoral College certification documents should be indicted and tried for committing fraud against the federal government and their own state governments; and I, for one, would make their terms of incarceration consecutive. Late yesterday evening, a video recording showed Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin hemming and hawing about a batch of false certifications that the senator's Chief of Staff had received from Trump supporters, which documents Senator Johnson was reported to have previously agreed to hand carry with him to Washington, to be delivered into the hands of Vice President Mike pence prior to his constitutional duty to preside over the official counting of the Electoral College state ballots. Whether Wisconsinites pay any sort of attention to Senator Johnson's shenanigans remains to be seen; but as an evidentiary matter, there is opportunity for fruitful discovery as to the identity of the persons who prepared the fraudulent documents; how it came to be that Senator Johnson's Chief of Staff just happen to be the conspirators' intermediary; and what led the conspirators to this fraudulent certification scheme to believe that Senator Johnson was on board, and amenable to putting these forged documents into the Vice President's hands. Cockamamie as the plan was, which is probably why the plan failed, it does show how far the senator was willing to go to support the president's false assertions that he had not lost the election.
Like all of the misbegotten scheming that was circulating within the Republican electoral orbit, an absence of witnesses to what was done is not likely to be a problem; the salient characteristic of these Trump-inspired crimes was their public nature. President Trump's bullying telephone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffenspurger demanding that Raffenspurger find '11,780 yet-uncounted votes for Trump' was astonishing for the brazenness, but also for Trump's cluelessness about what he was actually asking Raffenspurger to actually do, creating a cache of 'newly discovered' ballots, all of which would be for Trump. The idea that Trump believed that this could be done without anybody noticing it beggars the imagination! In point of fact, however, President Trump didn't care whether anyone outside his orbit would've been taken in by the con. Trump had been peddling obvious falsehoods his entire life, and about anything and everything whether relating to Trump or not, it simply didn't matter. There were enough people out in the world who are willing to believe anything that Donald Trump said, that it didn't matter whether it was true or not. The proof of the assertion is today's Republican Party; it is a national political party that is committed to believing, and acting upon, anything and everything that Donald Trump tells them. One could argue that today's Republican Party is held together by its members' almost universally accepted affirmation amongst them, that they're good with anything that Trump tells them, and that the truth of the assertion is irrelevant. Believing the falsehood is a test of their loyalty to him. That is the exact definition of a cult of personality.
That may yet change if Attorney General Merrick Garland makes good on his promises to prosecute those who are implicated in the January 6 Insurrection. One thing that does concern me is what happens after that. I mention this because a third of the American electorate are demonstrably antidemocratic, and they are in thrall to a demonic personality whose self absorption and nihilism knows no bounds.
Those of us who do take the oath of loyalty, or who have in the past taken that oath of loyalty, are appalled but what we see today coming out of the Trump party. Watching Rusty Bowers, the Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, and listening to his testimony, I saw the tears in his eyes as he related his conversation with President Trump, telling him, "You are asking me to do something against my oath, and I will not break my oath." Mr. Bowers spoke of the American Constitution as having been divinely inspired. He also spoke about the harassment that he and his family received from Trump loyalists, which abuse was visited on his desperately ill daughter. She died last year.
Brad Raffenspurger's wife received 'sexualized' threats by text messages, and Trump supporters broke into his daughter-in-law's house.
The two election workers in Fulton County, Georgia, I mentioned above, Shaye Moss, and her mother, Ruby Freeman, were vilified in public denunciations by President Trump and Rudolph Giuliani. Such was their fears that Ms. Freeman was persuaded by the FBI to move out of her home for two months out of concern that she might be attacked and killed by enraged Trump supporters.
We as a nation are going to have to figure out how we need to deal with the former president's hard-core supporters. Unlike in the post-Civil War Reconstruction, and post-World War II Germany, we don't have a military force that will change their mindset. We are stuck with these people. Their behavior is execrable, and those who engage in the kind of harassment and destructiveness that were described in Tuesday's committee hearing need to be punished. If we believe that we live in a nation of laws, those laws need to be enforced. What we discovered during the Trump administration that many of the standards of conduct that we believed had the force of law had nothing in the way of institutionalized enforcement, whether by law or regulation, that compelled obedience. We need to think about that, because Trump-fomented chaos is not an option.
Perversely, conservatives rail against the strictures that government imposes through laws and regulations; and they do so in the name of liberty. And yet, when it comes down to cases it is those selfsame conservatives that over decades, have shown themselves to be incapable of either empathy or self-control when it comes to modulating their appetites and passions. I am writing this today, beset by the reverberations of outrage over what I heard in Tuesday's testimony. The voice I hear in my head has nothing to do with Liberal 'cancel culture' nonsense about 'safe places', 'trigger warnings', and all that other stuff that has to do with fads and fashion. I'm talking about basic decency and respect for other people, and of the jobs they do that are essential to our well-being, and yet so often go unrecognized. Above all, those who behave badly need to be held to account, and as severely as necessary to get the point across.
Indeed, Arthur.
You’re speaking right to the heart of the matter Arthur. Thank you!
This is gold, Arthur.
Can I share your words?
Go for it!
For the first time I listened live to the testimony of Bowers, Rafensperger and, Wandrea ArShaye “Shaye” Moss.
If the United States of America cannot come up with a "crime' around what Trump sponsored against Shaye Moss and her mother? All the lies around a carefully selected video segment that included African American election workers simply doing their jobs? Black folks selected ON PURPOSE to appeal to the racist segment of America?
Well, if the US cannot offer consequences for what Trump did to Shaye Moss then the United States deserves what it gets when Trump gets elected again.
If the majority of Americans want to see what embracing hate, lying, fear, violence and money is?
Then let them have what they want: Give them Trump unpunished for his entire life of crime, hate, destruction and vile talk.
But, if any reasonable person is the current US Attorney General, then, Trump is going to jail.
Purposefully editing a lengthy video to get a couple of black election workers on video doing their jobs and building a complete lie (ON PURPOSE) around that AND using the people in the video's names to ensure that they might even end up dead?
I don't care if that is illegal or not. It should be. I want Trump jailed for such a reprehensible, despicable, disgusting approach to his life and the lives of others.
Time to give Trump some of his own medicine inside a prison.
Let Trump learn what it is like to be "targeted" on the prison playground. That would be a wonderfully educational experience for him.
I noticed right away Giuliani’s use of the old trope about Moss and Freeman being drug dealers, presumably bc they are black.
But of course. The only thing missing was "welfare queens".
Correct.
And Trump calling her a “professional vote scammer.”
My fear is the country will next elect President Ron DeSantis, a much smarter and more polished Chump. Florida is such an embattled state right now.
Don't be fearful.
The US has long been mired in hate. It seems we will never be past the sins of our past.
Whomever brought the first slave here on the boat in 1619 as a slave? Cursed us.
This. No one is protecting "the average human" in America. It's all about the money and the power, and not about humanity.
Yup, ... goes around, comes around ... how can it not be so ...?
Kathleen,
So far, in Trump's long life of crime, fully supported in New York City by politicians he purchased, and by America as President, by politicans that are full on cowards,
he has never suffered even for a second for his actions.
He is truly an example of how money, in America, gives birth to evil.
Fortunately, in addition to his myriad other failures, Trumph is a coup klutz planner.
Clever!
Rhymes with Ku Klux Klanner? Clever!
After having destroyed their lives with their lies, why aren’t Ms Moss and Lady Ruby suing Trump & Giuliani for libel and slander. A Billion Bucks will do.
Surely, they deserve recompense ... chances are, they already are traumatized and living in fear for their lives - a lawsuit could exacerbate those dynamics ... from what I hear, people of color in the USA are well accustomed to this kind of thing ... par for the course, so to speak ....
May be the most horrible words I have read so far…
Tragic, and true ... what will it take to turn it around?
The only way to punish Lard Ass and make him "feel your pain", is to take his money!
Maybe ... and not just his ... those who lack the conscience, integrity and kindness of heart ... to find pleasure in victimizing others ... to be so full of self-serving ambitions and rampant appetites to desecrate the whole body of life - to satiate unquenchable thirst for more, more and ever more ... I still believe truth and love will prevail - we have to feel our way through ....
Barry, they’ve already sued OAN, a case which has been settled & then dismissed w prejudice at the defendants’ request. In addition, Moss & Freeman have ongoing lawsuits against The Gateway Pundit et al., & against Giuliani. I suspect that after yesterday’s testimony, there could be more suits--but whether they want more litigation will be the decision of both these courageous women & their family as it sounds as though they want to move on, as best they can, though I doubt there’s any amount of $ that could ever make them “whole.”
The problem with suing OAN and other news outlets is that the Free Press is able to report what others said/wrote. However it was both Trump & Giuliani who personally libeled/slandered Moss & Freeman and thus both should be personally sued. After Tuesday's hearing, I would believe that qualified Pro Bono Constitutional Lawyers would be lining up to take their cases.
As I stated, Moss & Freeman have already accepted a settlement against OAN & at Moss & at THEIR request, it was then dismissed without prejudice. The cases against Rudy & The Gateway Pundit et al., are ongoing.
I agree completely, though 100 billion would not be too much. And remember, the standard of proof to prevail in a civil suit 'a preponerance of evidence.'
6/21/22 - From Londyn Wiggins via Mobilize
Virtual Party on Letters to the Editor for Jan. 6 Hearings
Today’s hearing was a powerful one and we want to make sure we are joining these brave individuals in speaking out for what is right.
Join us for a letter to the editor writing party, tomorrow at 4pm ET- including guidance on how to write a letter to the editor regarding the January 6 hearings
To register: https://www.mobilize.us/jan6hearings/event/471922/ Letters to the Editors are very impactful, especially in your hometown’s newspaper.
https://www.mobilize.us/jan6hearings/event/471922/
Trump and MAGA Republicans have continued working to be able to put themselves in power regardless of the outcome of an election: changing laws that make it more difficult to vote and easier for them to overturn elections they lose so they can elect candidates who will do their bidding. We must speak out and take action to hold those involved in this ongoing criminal conspiracy accountable to protect our freedom in this historic moment. Join us tomorrow to learn how you can raise your voice locally. We hope to see you there!
PS. Can’t make tomorrow’s Letter Writing Party, you can write one on your own using this tool: https://act.newmode.net/action/declaration-american-democracy-coalition/write-letter-editor-january-6th-select-committe
https://act.newmode.net/action/declaration-american-democracy-coalition/write-letter-editor-january-6th-select-committee
Resistbot does letters as well, text 50409.
To preserve my mental health, I rarely read more than just this newsletter as far as news. Currently I’m also out of the country, which is a nice reprieve. I have been wondering for a while though, will any of these discoveries by the Committee lead to any real consequences for these players, like arrests and further down the road, convictions and prison for the big guys? Does any of this have any true legal power? I hope you understand what I mean, I seem to be missing the right vocabulary in my head 😬
Kerstin, you said it just right. Yes, I think this will lead to indictments and convictions. Keep visualizing them all in prison. The power of collective positive thinking and a good committee to pass all their facts to the DOJ.
🤞
The real question is, will anyone wield it? Or will Garland play the justice role of the Judiciary instead of the Department?